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Belfast Bomb Was 'Attempt To Injure Or Kill'

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 14 Desember 2013 | 16.12

A bomb which exploded in the centre of Belfast where hundreds of people were packed into bars and restaurants had the potential to kill, police have said.

The blast in the city's bustling Cathedral Quarter has been blamed on dissident republicans opposed to the peace process.

Christmas partygoers were evacuated when the device detonated just before 7pm on Friday evening. There were no reports of any injuries.

Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum said the bombing had been a totally reckless attack that could have killed or maimed anyone nearby when the device went off.

"This was an attack on the people of Belfast going about their normal lives on a busy night for socialising in the city. This attack ruined the night out for these people., " he said.

"Those who carried out this attack have nothing to offer except disruption and destruction. Police would appeal for continued community support and vigilance on the run up to Christmas in seeking to disrupt or deter any further attack on the city."

Belfast bomb Hundreds of people were evaucated. Pic: Mark Ashbridge

A warning had been given about a device, however it was left at a different location to that named in a call to a newspaper.

It is understood the device was contained in a box that was left on a pavement in front of a busy restaurant.

Stormont's Justice Minister David Ford said the blast was an "attempt to kill or injure innocent people".

"The people carrying out these attacks have set out no reason and explained no cause for their acts of senseless violence. Their only aim seems to be to injure and disrupt. They ignore the strength of public support for normality and peace, especially at this Christmas season."

Security has been ramped up in the city since a man was forced by masked dissidents to drive a car bomb to a shopping centre that faces a police station last month. That 60kg (132lb) device only partially exploded and no-one was injured.

While the threat posed by the violent extremists has remained classed as severe, police have acknowledged a "surge" in activity has taken place in recent weeks.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boy, 11, Sexually Assaulted On Country Lane

An 11-year-old boy was sexually assaulted as he walked along a country lane in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, police have said.

Thames Valley Police said the attack by a man believed to be in his 40s happened around 4.40pm on Friday.

The schoolboy was walking along Bacombe Lane, close to a bridleway, when the man approached him.

He was sexually assaulted before being able to run away.

Detective Inspector Ben Gasson said: "I am appealing for anyone who saw a man matching the description or anyone seen acting suspiciously in this area to contact police.

"The victim was not hurt during the incident but has understandably been left shaken.

"Incidents of this nature are extremely rare and are investigated thoroughly however if anyone has any concerns they can call their local neighbourhood team via our non-emergency number 101."

Neighbourhood patrols are taking place in the area and inquires are ongoing.

The offender is described as a white man aged approximately 40, with stubble on his face. He was wearing a grey and black diamond-patterned hooded top, dark blue jeans and black shoes.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Portsmouth Shipyard Job Losses: Protests

By Alex Rossi, Sky News Correspondent

Hundreds of people are expected to take to the streets of Portsmouth this morning to protest against job losses by defence giant BAE Systems.

It was announced last month that more than 900 jobs are being axed, ending shipbuilding in the historic naval city for good.

Lisa Fletcher, a community support officer for Unite, says the job cuts are a disaster not just for Portsmouth, but for the entire Solent region.

"It's not just about the jobs ... it's going to affect the industries in the pubs, restaurants, schools even and transport, " she told Sky News.

According to the local university, for every 100 jobs lost in shipbuilding a further 66 are lost in the wider economy in pubs, restaurants and other service industries.

BAE systems and the Government claim warship building in the UK needs to be consolidated into one site on the Clyde in Scotland if it is to remain sustainable.

And although maintenance and repairs will remain in Portsmouth, the end of shipbuilding is a massive blow to a city steeped in maritime history - ships have been built in Pompey for more than 500 years.

HMS Duncan, a Type 45 Destroyer that was built at Portsmouth dockyards HMS Duncan was built at Portsmouth dockyards

Workers at the BAE dockyard are apprehensive about the future.

Geoff Collins, a shop steward and pipe worker, is still coming to terms with his imminent redundancy. He fears at the age of 63 he will never find work again.

"It's taken the wind out of my sails really, slowed me right up. Thinking what's going to happen next. And what's going to happen for the younger generation with the skills ...?"

But trade union leaders believe the fight for shipbuilding in Portsmouth is not over yet.

They hope the Government will have a change of heart and instead elect for a three-dock solution which would also mean fewer job losses at the shipyards in Scotland that have also been affected.

Prospect negotiator John Ferrett hopes the decision will be reversed: "We believe that there is a solution, whilst that would mean job reductions right across the three yards, we believe we would be able to retain the capability."

The redundancies will begin as the work on two aircraft carriers finishes.

If the decision is not changed, people in Portsmouth fear centuries of shipbuilding will be sunk forever.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Food Poverty: 1.5m UK Pensioners Struggling

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 13 Desember 2013 | 16.12

By Ashish Joshi, Sky News Correspondent

More than 1.5 million British pensioners are now living in food poverty - and the situation is set to worsen this winter, according to new research.

The Centre for Economics and Business says a quarter of over-65s have had to make cutbacks on food over the past three years, and over one million are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition because they are struggling to afford basic nutritious food.

The reason is that while the cost of living has continued to rise, incomes have not kept pace.

Increasing food prices in particular have hit the elderly the most.

The study shows over-65s will spend an average of £699 on food between October and December this year - that's an increase of £138 compared to the same quarter five years ago.

And by 2018 there will be an additional increase of £297 on top of that bill. It all adds up to the over-65s being harder hit than any other demographic.

Members of Age Concern lunch club Members describe the lunch clubs as a lifeline

Raina Barnes, 82, from Perivale, Middlesex, has been attending the Age Concern lunch club in Greenford for the past few months. Hot meals and warm company are provided by the charity.

Mrs Barnes, who was widowed last year, remembers when a £30 shop would easily last a few weeks. These days, she says, you get "hardly anything" for that amount.

"I think the supermarkets are taking us for a ride. One minute they're putting their prices down. The next they're going higher. You've only got a certain amount of money to spend," she says.

"All the basics like bread, milk and eggs are the things you need all the time. I mean eggs have just gone up terrible. You just have to see how it goes."

Sharing the dinner table with Mrs Barnes is 88-year-old Harry Thomas, a World War Two veteran. Mr Thomas says he shops around to compare the best prices in local supermarkets.

"It's a very hard thing these days for people, the price of things. You go to one shop and the price might have been dropped and you go to another and the price goes up a little bit.

"You never know what to buy. All I do is look at the price and say 'too high' and I don't bother."

Danny Woolcott, 87, has been a regular at the lunch club for more than six years. The retired mechanic, from Southall, visits three times a week.

He blames the Government for "letting pensioners down".

"I would like to see any government looking after the elderly people of this country.

"The people who brought this country along are being neglected badly and I think it's disgusting the way things have been left, honestly and truthfully."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Migrants Face 'More Robust' Benefits Test

A "more robust" test for migrants who want to claim income-related benefits is being rolled out at Jobcentres across Wales, England and Scotland this week.

The new habitual residence test is part of the Government's plan to ensure that only migrants who have a legal right to be in the UK, and plan to contribute to this country, can make a claim for benefits.

In order to pass the test, migrants will have to answer more individually tailored questions, provide more detailed answers, and submit more evidence before they will be allowed to make a claim.

For the first time migrants will be quizzed about what efforts they have made to find work before coming to the UK and whether their English language skills will be a barrier to them finding employment.

Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: "It is vitally important that we have strict rules in place to protect the integrity of our benefits system.

"The British public are rightly concerned that migrants should contribute to this country and not be drawn here by the attractiveness of our benefits system.

"And we are taking action to ensure that that is the case.

"The roll-out of the new habitual residence test is the first in a series of measures to ensure that we have a fair system: one which provides support for genuine workers and jobseekers, but does not allow people to come to our country and take advantage.

"It is a crucial part of our long-term plan to secure Britain's economy."

Labour's shadow welfare minister Chris Bryant said: "For generations, people have come to this country and worked hard to contribute to Britain, but the principle of contribution is an important one, and the controls on immigration must be fair to those who live here.

"That is why Labour called for stronger restrictions on benefits for new arrivals from the EU, including proposals eight months ago to strengthen the habitual residence test to make it clear that people should not be able to claim benefits when they first arrive.

"At the time, the Government dismissed those proposals, but eight months later they have changed their minds and keep re-announcing their proposals.

"Yet the Government are still doing nothing to tackle the serious problem of low-skilled migrant workers being exploited, undercutting local workers and responsible businesses too.

"That is bad for everyone, yet they are doing nothing about it."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Syria Refugee Response By Europe 'Shameful'

By Lisa Holland, Foreign Affairs Correspondent

Amnesty International is calling on Britain and the rest of Europe to do more to resettle refugees from Syria's civil war.

The campaign group says European leaders should "hang their heads with shame" over what it calls the pitifully low numbers of refugees being taken in.

It says EU member states have pledged to resettle a very small proportion of Syria's refugees - just 12,000, or 0.5% of the 2.3 million who have fled the country.

The civil war between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al Assad and rebels seeking his overthrow has raged for 33 months and killed more than 125,000 people.

Only 10 EU member states have offered resettlement places to refugees.

Germany offered to take in 10,000 people - 80% of the total EU pledges - with other members offering to take 2,340 refugees.

Syrian refugee The British Government says Syrian refugees are better off closer to home

Eighteen EU members - including the UK and Italy - offered no places at all.

The bulk of Syria's refugees - 97% - have fled to five neighbouring countries - Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. The crisis has increased Lebanon's population by 20%.

Sherif Elsayed Ali from Amnesty International said: "There are people who because of their personal circumstances like their health or their age can't get adequate support in these countries.

"They have lost everything - their homes, their belongings, they have no savings they don't have any support networks and the only way to help them is to take them away and take them to a country that can cope."

Amnesty is calling on European member states to significantly increase the number of resettlement and humanitarian admission places for refugees from Syria and to strengthen the search and rescue capacity in the Mediterranean to help migrant boats in distress.

Fifty five thousand Syrian refugees (2.4% of the total number who have fled Syria) have managed to get through and claim asylum in the EU.

The British Government says it believes Syrian refugees are best closer to home and has offered humanitarian assistance in the camps which have sprung up over the country's borders.

But conditions remain grim with most in tents or un-heated buildings. Meanwhile the UN is predicting one of the harshest winters in the region in a century.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Emma Bennett: Dog Attack Family's 'Devastation'

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 12 Desember 2013 | 16.12

The family of a mother-of-four who was mauled to death by two American pit bulls have spoken of their devastation.

Emma Bennett died on Tuesday evening after she was bitten by the dogs at a house in Dawlish Avenue in the Osmondthorpe district of Leeds.

It was reported that the attack, on Monday afternoon, happened while the 27-year-old was suffering an epileptic fit.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Ms Bennett's family said in a statement issued through West Yorkshire Police: "We are all very deeply upset at Emma's death, not just because she has been taken from us so suddenly but because of the horrific circumstances and the fact she was on her own at the time she was injured.

"Emma was a mother-of-four and although she had had some issues in her life she loved her children. She was a lively person who had a great sense of fun, but she was also strong-headed and had her own opinions.

"She was the eldest of four children and had two brothers and a sister. They were at her bedside in hospital along with her mother and grandparents when she passed away.

"We are all devastated at Emma's death, but the whole family has pulled together and are really supporting each other. We are grateful to everyone who has sent messages of sympathy and support."

Detective Superintendent Simon Beldon, leading the investigation, said: "Early indications are that the two dogs seized from the address are American pit bull terriers although tests are still ongoing to establish their exact make-up.

"Dogs of this type are subject to restrictions under the Dangerous Dogs Act and our enquiries are focused on this aspect.

"We are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about the incident or the dogs involved in it to contact the investigation team."

Ms Bennett's neighbour, Chris Roebuck, said he was surprised the dogs were vicious enough to carry out the attack.

"I've seen one of them, which I have stroked and it seemed soft, really soft," he said. "It wanted to lick you at all times - that's the big dog - but I never saw the other dog."

Mr Roebuck said the dogs "seemed calm" and only ever barked occasionally.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Govt Losing A 'Staggering' £55bn A Year In Taxes

The UK is losing a "staggering" £55bn a year due to fraud, error and unpaid taxes, MPs have warned.

The scale of the losses was described as "worryingly high" and the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) expressed concern about the impact on the deficit in the public finances.

The whole of government accounts drawn up by the Treasury show that in 2011-12 about £13.2bn had to be written off due to fraud and error.

However, the figures do not include local government or public corporations and the National Fraud Authority estimates the true cost of fraud to the public sector was £20.6bn.

At the same time HM Revenue and Customs has calculated the "tax gap" - the difference between the taxes it is supposed to receive and those it actually manages to collect - was £35bn.

PAC chairman Margaret Hodge said: "It is staggering that, in one year, the public sector was defrauded of over £20bn and the tax gap rose to £35bn."

The committee called on the Treasury to develop, publish and implement an action plan setting out a co-ordinated strategy for tackling fraud and error throughout the public sector.

It also voiced concern about the way the figures in the whole of government accounts (WGA) were compiled and presented.

The WGA - which was published for the first time last year and now covers the combined financial activities of 3,000 bodies - is intended to provide the most comprehensive accounting picture of the public sector in the UK.

However, the committee said its credibility had been undermined by the "poor quality" of some of the data and the Treasury needed to do more to explain the discrepancies between some of the figures in the WGA and those produced by the Office for National Statistics.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Ofcom: UK Spending More On Online Shopping

By Niall Paterson, Media and Technology Correspondent

Britons spent an average of almost £150 more on online shopping last year compared with the previous 12 months, new figures have revealed.

Communications regulator Ofcom found internet shopping was more popular in the UK than in the other countries it surveyed.

The country's average annual online outlay increased from £1,017 to £1,175 in 2012.

Data also showed almost three-quarters of the population (73%) buy goods for delivery via the internet at least once a month, while nearly one in four (24%) do so every week.

The UK is also spending more online per person than any of the other major countries surveyed.

Adjusting for population size, the UK spends £307 per head more than Australia, the second highest country, and £615 higher than the average.

In part, this is due to Britons shopping online more frequently. More than half of respondents in the UK said they were doing so more than two years ago.

Price and ease of shopping experience appear to be the reasons we are increasingly abandoning the high street for online portals.

In the UK, 59% cited "it saves me money" when asked why they were spending more money via the web. A total of 58% said it was "easier".

Trust in online retailers seems to have fuelled the boom.

Almost three-quarters of those in the UK (70%) said they felt "secure when paying for products online", compared with 62% in the US - the second highest - and just 38% in France and 29% in Japan.

James Thickett, Ofcom's director of research and market development, said "The UK is by quite a long way the place where people spend most online.

"There are a number of reasons for this. We have a long history of catalogue shopping in the UK.

"What this has done is that we trust people to deliver parcels, and we're used to getting parcels delivered to our homes and we're used to using credit cards. It's part of our DNA."

The research, published in Ofcom's annual International Communications Market Report, also found the UK to be the cheapest of the major nations surveyed for mobile phone and broadband deals.


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Dog Attack: Leeds Mother Dies From Injuries

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 11 Desember 2013 | 16.13

A mother-of-four has died after she was attacked by dogs.

Emma Bennett died on Tuesday evening after suffering serious bite injuries in an incident at a house in Dawlish Avenue in the Osmondthorpe district of Leeds.

It was reported that the attack on Monday afternoon happened while the 27-year-old was suffering an epileptic fit.

She reportedly lived in the house with her boyfriend and an American pitbull and Staffordshire bull terrier.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Two dogs were seized following the incident and police enquiries remain ongoing this evening.

"Officers would like to speak to anybody who has information about the incident and the dogs involved in it.

"Anyone who has information should contact Protective Services at West Yorkshire Police on 101."

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post after the attack, one neighbour said: "It is usually quiet here.

"It is just not the kind of thing that happens around here."

Earlier, police said the injured woman had been taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment.

Officers responded to reports that a woman was "in distress" at the address in Dawlish Avenue.

The force added: "One dog which got loose from the property was contained by officers in Back Dawlish Road and recovered. Another was safely removed from the address a short time later."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Ofsted: White Pupils 'Doing Worst At School'

By Hind Hassan, Sky News Reporter

Progress in education by white children - particularly those from poor backgrounds - is slower than all other ethnic groups, an Ofsted report is expected to reveal.

It is believed that the education body's chief inspector will warn poor white children are being "written off" far too often.

Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted chief inspector, told Sky News: "We've got to make sure that all children do well and that's about having the right attitudes, family support. It's about having high expectations for all children not just particular ethnic groups."

The annual state-of-the-nation report is also expected to claim low expectations and a casual acceptance of misbehaviour are partially to blame for the UK's mediocre international rankings in maths, science and reading.

It comes after the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development put the UK outside the top 20 in all three subjects. 

Another focus will be regional variations in school performances.

A national service for teachers - which would see heads at the top-performing areas sent to those not doing so well - is to be pitched as one possible solution.

East London school, St Paul's Way Trust, was placed in special measures in 2009. It is now considered by Ofsted to be on the right track to educational excellence.

Its head teacher, Grahame Price, says a national service for staff could lead to a conflict of interest between the school they are teaching at and the school they are sent to.

He said: "It would be interesting to see how nationally there could be some consideration on how you can push out that model in a way in a way that isn't going to mean the host school of the head teacher - so where they come from - isn't hampered by the idea of someone going and doing work elsewhere."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Damien Hirst Works Of Art Stolen From Gallery

Two signed Damien Hirst works of art worth more than £30,000 have been stolen from a gallery in London, Scotland Yard has said.

The pieces were stolen from the Exhibitionist Gallery in west London in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police say a suspect forced the front doors of the gallery and drove the items away in a dark-coloured hatchback-type vehicle towards Ladbroke Grove.

The stolen pieces feature multi-coloured dots and are signed by the artist.

The larger of the two is called Pyronin Y. It was created in 2005 and is worth £15,000.

The second work is entitled Oleoylsarcosine and was created in 2008. It is worth £18,000.

"It appears the suspect has specifically targeted the two pieces," said Detective Sergeant Jon Lightfoot, from Kensington and Chelsea Borough.

"The items would have been visible in the back of the car and we are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to please come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit at Notting Hill Police Station on 020 8246 0230 or, to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

 


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Obesity Epidemic Is 'Mass Child Neglect'

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 10 Desember 2013 | 16.12

By David Crabtree, Sky News Correspondent

The lack of a national policy to ensure children become more active is a form of mass child neglect, according to a new study.

It claims that despite a wealth of evidence showing the benefits of regular exercise, leadership and strategy on the issue are "totally absent".

The report is from the British Journal of Sports Medicine, an influential research organisation which has drawn its findings from a number of experts from the worlds of sport and medicine, including Sam Allardyce, Richard Weiler, Gregory Whyte and Emmanuel Stamatakis.

They say regular exercise in childhood can help boost academic performance, curb anti-social behaviour and determine patterns of physical health and wealth in adulthood.

But only a third of boys and a quarter of girls in England meet the minimum recommended daily physical activity levels.

They warn that one in three youngsters leaving primary education is obese, most of whom will become obese adults.

The authors say: "Despite the well-accepted benefits of physical activity and the recognised importance of schools in delivering the crucial physical literacy and activity opportunities, the erosion of physical education in schools combined with ever-reducing play facilities has the opposite effect.

"Worse, the amount of school curriculum time children spend in physical education and activity is neither monitored nor known by any educational or regulatory authorities.

"And there is no statutory minimum requirement for schools to devote a specific amount of time to physical education."

Obesity killing more than previously thought Most obese children will become obese adults, the report warns

Despite the 2012 Olympic promises to protect school playing fields, these continue to be sold off, say the authors, and although £150m has been pledged for each of the next two years to improve the physical education of primary school children, this translates into just £9,500 per school.

"The Government has allocated £28.4m for competitive school games, but this approach doesn't suit all children, and there is some evidence to suggest that it benefits those who least need it - the wealthiest and most privileged."

They highlight the fact that Team GB came third in the medals table at the 2012 Olympics, but that the UK also took gold and silver in the European obesity league tables last year.

"The minimal funding, lack of interest and absence of a child physical activity strategy strongly support the notion that the state is failing to act to prevent harm against children and failing to meet children's basic physical needs likely to result in the serious impairment of their health and development.

"This is quite literally indistinguishable from the government's own definition of child neglect," they conclude.

They call for current and future governments and educational bodies to act to create a comprehensive child-centred national physical activity policy to give children from all backgrounds and sporting abilities every opportunity to be active on a daily basis.

In response to the BJSM report, a Government spokesman said: "This Government is taking decisive action to harness the Olympic spirit and make sure every child has the opportunity to be fit and healthy.

"We have extended our ring-fenced funding for primary schools to spend on sport to 2015/16 - with a total of £540m now going directly to head teachers to improve PE and sport in their schools."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Fixing Claims: Sports Chiefs Called To Summit

Senior officials from five leading sports have been called to a meeting with the Government on fixing.

The talks have been called after it was confirmed six people had been arrested during an investigation into spot-fixing in football, including Blackburn striker DJ Campbell.

Executives from the governing bodies of football, tennis, cricket, rugby union and rugby league will meet Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in London.

Representatives from the Premier League, the Football League, the Gambling Commission and the British Horseracing Authority will also be present.

A Government source said the meeting aimed to share best practices between the sports, and ministers would receive feedback on any changes the sports believe would help tackle the problem.

Match-fixing claims Former Portsmouth player Sam Sodje was filmed in undercover footage

"We want to make sure no stone is left unturned in the fight against match-fixing in sport," the source said.

Some officials believe changing the law to make match-fixing a criminal offence, rather than police having to use fraud or other related charges, would provide a greater deterrent.

Ministers are understood to be open to any suggestions and will be pushing for sports to share any intelligence they have on fixing with the Gambling Commission.

Campbell, 32, was one of six people detained in an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) after it acted on information passed to it by The Sun On Sunday newspaper.

Five people, including Campbell, have been bailed until April, and a sixth is still being questioned, the NCA said.

Detectives are likely to review a yellow card Campbell received for a tackle committed in the first half of Blackburn's league game against Ipswich last Tuesday.

According to The Sun On Sunday, an undercover investigator met former Portsmouth player Sam Sodje, who allegedly said he could arrange for footballers in the Championship to get themselves a yellow card in return for tens of thousands of pounds.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Faulty PIP Breast Implants Case Ruling Due

By Clare Fallon, Sky Reporter

A judgement is due in a French court case against the managers of a company that made substandard breast implants.

Jean-Claude Mas and four of his former colleagues are accused of aggravated fraud, following the collapse of Poly Implant Prothese (PIP).

PIP implants were found to contain industrial silicone and have an increased likelihood of bursting and seeping. 

It has been estimated more than 300,000 women were affected by the faulty implants in 65 countries. 

It is thought around 47,000 British women were given the implants.

The case against Mas has more than 5,000 women registered as plaintiffs and was heard in a conference centre in Marseille instead of a court to allow enough room.

Among the women who gave evidence was Jan Spivey from London, who was given PIP implants as part of reconstructive surgery following treatment for breast cancer.

PIP breast implants The scare has led to calls for tougher controls on cosmetic surgery

She blames them for subsequent health problems and told Sky News: "The symptoms were so overwhelming to deal with.

"They impacted on my everyday life. I'm very frightened about the future."

Mas, 73, has pleaded guilty to fraud, but denies the more serious charge of aggravated fraud, which in French law involves a deception that creates a health risk. 

During the hearing, the PIP founder was compared to a "mad chemist". If convicted he could be jailed for up to five years.

Tracey Ahmet is among the British women who were given PIP implants. 

Speaking to Sky News ahead of the ruling, she said: "If he doesn't go to jail it will send us all over the edge. I think we'll all have a breakdown.

"If I took anything from the kitchen sink and injected it in somebody, I'd be in prison by now. He's done it to thousands and thousands of women."

Despite a decision from the French government two years ago that women should have PIPs removed as a precaution, a review in the UK ruled it was not necessary.

Later, women who had been given the faulty implants on the NHS were told they would be removed and replaced.

The Welsh government also agreed to pay for removal and replacement, even for women who had the procedure privately. 

A review by NHS medical director, Sir Bruce Keogh, which was ordered after the scare, called for tougher controls on the cosmetic surgery industry.

The Department of Health is still to respond to his recommendations.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Landlords: 'No Homes For Benefit Claimants'

Written By Unknown on Senin, 09 Desember 2013 | 16.12

Sky News has obtained figures which suggest a rising number of landlords are steering clear of benefit claimants over fears of non-payments.

The data from the National Landlords' Association shows the number of landlords letting to people on benefits has halved to just one in five.

And 52% of landlords say they would not even consider letting to someone on benefits because of those who do, seven out of 10 have experienced rent arrears in past 12 months averaging £3,000 each.

Sky's political correspondent Anushka Asthana said: "The Government's flagship welfare reform forces people to budget by paying their benefits in one monthly lump sum.

"It has been dogged by difficulties amid accusations of weak management and a timetable that keeps on slipping.

"Now fears are rising about the human consequences of this massive reform."

Welfare reform The implementation of the scheme has been branded 'inadequate'

Ministers claim the initial roll-out of Universal Credit - which combines six means-tested benefits into one monthly payment designed to ensure people are better off working than on benefits - has been a success.

They point to figures suggesting it is encouraging more people to look for jobs in what Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith described as a "cultural shift".

But critics say the limited implementation of the scheme - which has been plagued by IT and other problems - only involve the least challenging cases.

And it was branded "inadequate" and open to fraud in a scathing report by a cross-party committee.

The Commons public accounts committee found that at least £140m had already been wasted on the project, which was blighted by "alarmingly weak" management.

Iain Duncan Smith Mr Duncan Smith will be grilled by the work and pensions select committee

Mr Duncan Smith has admitted the 2017 target for the full introduction of Universal Credit is set to be missed - with around 700,000 claimants facing a longer wait.

He will face fresh questions from MPs this afternoon over the scale of delays to the welfare reform.

Labour said official figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility showed that only a tiny fraction of the numbers due to be using the new system by the time of the next general election would be transferred on time.

It added that only a "handful" of the promised 1.7 million would be switched by 2014/15 and only 400,000 by the following year - less than 10% of the original target.

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Lung Cancer Detection Rate 'Boosted' By TV Ad

By Siobhan Robbins, Sky News Reporter

A Government TV campaign urging people with a three-week-old cough to visit the doctor has reportedly boosted lung cancer detection rates.

The Be Clear On Cancer advert ran between May and June last year to raise awareness of a range of cancers.

Cancer Research UK, which supported the campaign, says as a result around 700 more people were diagnosed with the disease compared with the same period the year before.

Sarah Williams, spokeswoman for the charity, told Sky News: "There are indications this will be helping survival rates and people will have a much better chance of surviving their disease.

"We do know with lung cancer that when it's picked up earlier the chances of survival are much better, simply because it's easier to treat."

Joe Suckling, from Derbyshire, said he wished the advert had been around when he became unwell.

In 2007, he noticed a niggling cough. Over the next five months it got gradually worse until he was finally diagnosed with lung cancer and warned he might have to have his right lung removed.

Lung cancer awareness advertisement The advert may be re-run as a result of its success

He told Sky News: "I knew I was dying. If the radiotherapy hadn't have helped me then yes I would have died, and if I'd delayed much longer the treatment wouldn't have been viable."

He believes his persistence in getting treatment saved his life and hopes the campaign makes others seek help.

The UK currently has one of the lowest lung cancer survival rates in Europe, with around 35,000 deaths from the disease every year.

Sean Duffy, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said: "Until recently a lung cancer patient in Sweden was nearly 70% more likely to survive their disease for at least five years than if they lived in England.

"So I am therefore delighted that this new set of figures shows that the Be Clear On Cancer campaign has helped speed up our progress in lung cancer survival with hundreds of patients receiving potential life-saving surgery as a result of this campaign."

Public Health England is now considering re-running the campaign next year.

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Human Remains Washed Up On Hampshire Beach

Human remains have been found washed up on a shoreline by a dog walker.

Police sealed off part of the foreshore at Weston, Southampton, Hampshire, following the discovery at around 8.25am on Sunday.

It is not known whether the remains are male or female, Hampshire Constabulary said.

They have been removed to a hospital where a post-mortem examination is scheduled.

Local missing persons records are being scoured as police try to work out the identity of the dead person, a police spokeswoman said.

She added: "Whilst there is nothing at this time to indicate this is suspicious, officers will keep an open mind until results of the post-mortem are known and whilst inquiries continue.

"Part of the foreshore will remain cordoned off whilst the area is searched. It will be reopened as soon as possible."

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Iraq Deaths: UK Troops To Face 11 Inquiries

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 08 Desember 2013 | 16.13

British troops are facing 11 separate inquiries into their conduct in Iraq following a ruling by the High Court, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.

The "semi-inquests" will be held into cases of 11 Iraqi civilians who died in UK custody after the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Each of the hearings will take an average of three months and the total cost to the taxpayer will be £2m, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

They follow an increasing amount of legal scrutiny being turned on the Armed Forces in the wake of the case of Sgt Alexander Blackman, the Royal Marine sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison for murdering a wounded Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan.

There have been calls for his sentence to be reduced or quashed over fears he would need special protection in prison because of the danger he will be attacked by Islamists.

One in three people (35%) believes he should serve no jail time at all, according to a poll by the Mail on Sunday.

Another 23% believe he should do five years, 20% are in favour of 10 years, while 22% think he should be imprisoned for more than 10 years.

Royal Marine Sergeant Alexander Blackman, who was convicted of murdering an injured Afghan insurgent One in three believes Blackman should serve no jail time, says a poll

Commenting on the poll, Sir Gerald Howarth, a former defence minister and current MP for army garrison town Aldershot, said he agreed the sentence was too harsh.

"The highest standard of discipline must be maintained in the Armed Forces and this man obviously committed an offence," Sir Gerald told the MoS. "But 10 years is too much. Five years would be more appropriate."

But former Lib Dem leader and ex-Royal Marine Lord Ashdown said he was content with the judge's decision.

An order banning the naming of Blackman, 39, was lifted by High Court judges after he was found guilty at a court martial in Bulford, Wiltshire.

Former senior officers and MPs reacted against that decision, amid claims he may need protection from Islamists in prison, the Sunday Telegraph said.

Lord West of Spithead, a former first lord of the Admiralty, said: "This is a man who has put his life on the line many times. I am not sure due account has been taken of this."

Blackman shot the Afghan, who had been seriously injured in an attack by an Apache helicopter, in the chest at close range with a 9mm pistol.

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Air Traffic Control Glitch Delays Continue

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

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

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

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

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

Heathrow airport passengers delayed Passengers bedded down at Heathrow Airport

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

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

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

National Air Traffic Services (Nats) control centre in Swanwick Nats' control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire

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

Ryanair called for action to prevent it happening again.

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

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

Heathrow airport Flight misery at Heathrow's Terminal 5

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

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

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Match-Fixing Claims: Police Launch New Probe

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

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

The newspaper alleges it has evidence of a player saying he could arrange a yellow card booking in the Championship League in exchange for thousands of pounds.

Sun on Sunday front page The Sun on Sunday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two Players Charged Over Match-Fixing Allegations The National Crime Agency is investigating separate fixing claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thomas said both NCA investigations were being carried out separately.

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

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