Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

Mums-To-Be Admit Drinking Too Much Booze

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 12 Juli 2014 | 16.12

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs Editor

Thousands of women a year are giving birth after admitting having drunk too much during their pregnancies, a Sky News investigation has found.

Although government guidelines warn pregnant women against drinking more than four units a week - equivalent to two large glasses of wine -  hospitals have recorded a significant number drinking much more.

The first hospital figures of their kind suggest that more than 2,000 babies a year are born to mothers who have breached alcohol guidelines.

Baby Heavy drinking during pregnancy increases the health risks to children

And experts say the problem is likely to be much worse as NHS trusts rely on women to honestly report how much they have drunk.

The figures - obtained by Sky News following a Freedom of Information request - show that in the last three years, 2,496 mothers-to-be told hospital staff in England they were drinking at least four units of alcohol a week.

In the worst cases, South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust recorded four women drinking more than 34 units a week over that period.

Liverpool Women's hospital recorded 17 women drinking more than 20 units a week, and two drinking more than 10 units every day.

However, fewer than half of all England NHS trusts (45 out of 108) were able to supply figures.

Pregnant woman in kitchen with glass of red wine Figures obtained by Sky News also reveal gaps in monitoring of consumption

Extrapolating the figures suggests that just over 2,000 mothers-to-be admit to drinking too much during pregnancy.

Overall, the hospital statistics showed around 0.5% of pregnant women admitted drinking more than the Department of Health guidelines.

Heavy drinking during pregnancy increases the risk that babies will be born with foetal alcohol syndrome - a life-long condition that can leave children physically and mentally disabled.

One woman whose son was born with foetal alcohol syndrome after she drunk heavily during pregnancy following years of alcoholism, said little was done to help her break her addiction.

"When I was five months pregnant, I told the midwife that I was an alcoholic and that I couldn't control my drinking," said Samantha Marchant, 40, from Slough.

"They referred me to a drug and alcohol team which put me on a drinks diary ... I'd have liked them to say 'you can have a place in rehab', but it wasn't offered."

Samatha Marchant drank heavily during her pregnancy Samantha Marchant says more must be done to help mums-to-be break habits

"I didn't know about the biology of what happens if you drink in pregnancy," added Ms Marchant, who is now a recovered alcoholic and works to raise other women's awareness of the dangers of drinking during pregnancy.

Dr Raja Mukherjee, lead clinician for the national foetal alcohol spectrum disorder clinic at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: "All the research has shown that high level alcohol exposure causes significant damage to a developing foetus.

"We know that women are drinking more .. 90% of women in this country drink and they don't all suddenly stop when they are pregnant."

The figures obtained by Sky also reveal significant gaps in the monitoring of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

More than 90% of hospitals do not ask women about their alcohol consumption throughout pregnancy, and three of the NHS trusts did not ask pregnant women about their drinking at all.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Archbishops Split Over Right-To-Die Debate

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has made an extraordinary U-turn by announcing he is backing laws to legalise assisted dying.

His support for Labour peer Lord Falconer's Bill, which will be debated in the House of Lords next week, goes against the Church of England's official line that the law on assisted suicide should not change.

Lord Carey said it would not be "anti-Christian" to legalise assisted suicide and that by opposing reform the Church risked "promoting anguish and pain".

Tony Nicklinson died two years ago

He said the case of Tony Nicklinson - the locked-in syndrome sufferer who died after being refused the legal right to die - had the "deepest influence" on his change of heart.

"Here was a dignified man making a simple appeal for mercy, begging that the law allow him to die in peace, supported by his family," he wrote in the Daily Mail.

"His distress made me question my motives in previous debates. Had I been putting doctrine before compassion, dogma before human dignity?"

Dignitas in Switzerland Assisted suicide is already legal at clinics like this in Switzerland

Mr Nicklinson's widow Jane said she was "amazed and thrilled" at Lord Carey's U-turn.

His comments come as a surprise because he was part of a coalition that helped stop Lord Joffe's Assisting Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill in 2006 in the House of Lords.

But while the former Archbishop has come out in favour of a change in the law, the current Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, has condemned the Bill as "mistaken and dangerous".

Writing in the Times, Archbishop Welby warned the "deep personal demands" of individuals should not blind people to the pressures others could be put under should the practice become legal.

180 lord falconer Lord Falconer's Bill would allow adults to ask for help to die

"It would be very naive to think that many of the elderly people who are abused and neglected each year, as well as many severely disabled individuals, would not be put under pressure to end their lives if assisted suicide were permitted by law," he wrote.

Archbishop Welby said a law that permitted assisted suicide would be "bound" to lead to some people feeling they ought to stop "being a burden to others".

Under the 1961 Suicide Act, it remains a criminal offence carrying up to 14 years in jail to help take someone's life.

If successful, Lord Falconer's Bill would allow mentally capable adults in England and Wales to ask for help to die if they were suffering from a terminal illness and had less than six months to live.

Modelled on a system in place in the US state of Oregon, patients would be able to administer a fatal dose of drugs to themselves, but would not be able to be given help if they could not lift it or swallow it.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Northern Ireland Parade Day Letter Bomb Found

A suspicious package found at a sorting office in Northern Ireland was a 'viable' letter bomb, police have confirmed.

The device was discovered last night at the country's main sorting office on Mallusk Road in Newtownabbey, on the outskirts of Belfast.

It was found on the biggest day of Northern Ireland's marching season which authorities are hopeful will pass peacefully.

A spokeswoman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said experts from the army were sent to the scene of the bomb find.

She said they found it to be "a viable letter bomb type device".

"Police are currently attending a security alert following the discovery of a suspicious package at the postal sorting office in Mallusk Road, Newtownabbey," she added.

Loyalists signalled the arrival of July 12 by lighting bonfires at midnight but were criticised for burning election posters of nationalist and republican politicians.

Tens of thousands of members of the Orange Order will march in Belfast to commemorate Protestant King William III's victory in 1690 over Catholic King James II.

Seventeen parades are expected to take place around the country as a whole.

Organisers have called on marchers to make sure all the parades pass off peacefully.

A map showing the location of Mallusk Road, Newtonabbey A mao showing the location of Mallusk Road, Newtownabbey

Grand Lodge of Ireland Grand Secretary Drew Nelson said: "I would have a message for young protestants or any protestant or unionist who feels strongly about what's happening now.

"If you lift a stone or a bottle on the Twelfth day you are falling into a republican trap," he said.

One of the potential flash points could be the mainly Catholic Ardoyne area of Belfast where there have been riots in the past.

A parade has traditionally gone through the Protestant area of Woodvale and then continued up the Catholic Crumlin Road.

But police and Orangemen are hopeful the parade will go ahead without the serious violence that has marred previous marches.

An emphasis on effective marshalling at the moment when the parade leaves the Woodvale area and reaches the Crumlin road is designed to make sure participants disperse quickly.

When the parade passed through the Ardoyne in recent years, republicans engaged in serious rioting. Last year, when the parade was restricted, it was loyalists who rioted.

With the bill for policing parades and flag disputes reaching £55m in the last 20 months, the authorities hope that violence will be kept to a minimum.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Moderate Drinking 'Could Be Bad For Your Heart'

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 11 Juli 2014 | 16.12

By Harriet Hadfield, Sky Reporter

Advice that suggests alcohol could be good for your heart is wrong and should be updated, according to some experts.

It follows decades of conflicting reports and previous research which suggested light-to-moderate drinking is good for the heart.

Scientists from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine published their new research - based on genetic studies - in the British Medical Journal.

They believe a reduction in alcohol could improve the cardiovascular health of even light to moderate drinkers.

The research - conducted with the University of Pennsylvania - looked at 56 separate studies on the drinking habits of more than a quarter of a million people of European descent.

A barmaid pulls a pint in a pub The report analysed 56 studies on the drinking habits of 250,000 people

The study revealed that some people who carried a genetic variant associated with low alcohol consumption tended to have a healthier cardiovascular profile than those without, and they had a 10% lower risk of coronary heart disease and lower blood pressure.

Professor Juan Pablo Casas, who worked on the study, told Sky News: "Current policy needs to be updated in the light of new evidence.

"Drinking is certainly not good for your heart, so people need to be conscious about the effects of drinking. So the message is the less alcohol the better."

It is frustrating news for drinkers who are often given conflicting advice about alcohol.

Alcohol The results revealed people who drank less had lower blood pressure

Dr Shannon Amoils, a research advisor at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Studies into alcohol consumption are fraught with difficulty, in part because they rely on people giving accurate accounts of their drinking habits. 

"Here the researchers used a clever study design to get round this problem by including people who had a gene that predisposes them to drink less.

"The results reinforce the view that small to moderate amounts of alcohol may not be healthy for the heart, although the study would need to be repeated in a larger group of people for definitive results."

Nutritionist Nicole Berberian said: "There's a lot of information about dos and don'ts, but the same message always shines through; if you've got the healthy diet and the odd glass of wine or beer coming in on a week by week basis, that's going to be okay."

The advice in general seems to be that the best approach is to drink alcohol only in moderation. 


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Coastguard Appeal For Missing British Yachtsman

Coastguards have issued an appeal to vessels in the North Sea which may have sighted the yacht of a missing sailor to get in touch.

The last time the 69-year-old from North Yorkshire made contact with his family was by phone on July 4.

He was last seen in his 17ft yacht Equinox in the Kiel Canal in Brunsbuttel, Germany, and is said to have been planning his return to the UK.

French, Belgian and Dutch coastguards have also been put on alert, and police have logged a missing person's alert with Interpol too.

Humber Coastguard has been carrying out an air and sea search for the yachtsman since Thursday after being contacted by his family.

Rescuers said in a statement: "Humber Coastguard request any vessel who believes they may have sighted the yacht to urgently contact any coastguard station with information."


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Teenager Admits Killing Teacher Ann Maguire

A 16-year-old accused of murdering teacher Ann Maguire in her classroom has accepted responsibility for her killing.

Mrs Maguire 61, was fatally stabbed at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Halton Moor, Leeds, on April 28.

Defence QC Richard Wright told Leeds Crown Court the teenager, who Sky News is not identifying, admitted the "unlawful killing".

However, no pleas were entered ahead of a murder trial scheduled for November.

More follows...


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hospital Worker Stabbed To Death At Acute Unit

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 10 Juli 2014 | 16.12

A man in his 60s has been arrested after a female member of staff at a mental health hospital was stabbed to death at work.

The victim, who has not been named, was attacked at the inpatient unit of Wotton Lawn Hospital in Gloucester.

Police said the woman was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital but died from her injuries an hour later.

The arrested man is aged in his 60s and is being held in custody, Gloucestershire police said.

A spokesman for 2gether NHS Foundation Trust described the killing, at around 7.30am on Wednesday, as "tragic".

He said: "During the incident a colleague was stabbed and after being attended by fellow clinicians, was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

"It is with deep sadness that we confirm that our colleague died a short time later. Our thoughts remain with their family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

"The full facts of this sad incident are still being established and therefore it is inappropriate for us to comment further at this time."

The spokesman was unable to confirm the role of the staff member, but it is understood the woman was not a nurse.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "The events in Gloucestershire are devastating and our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the staff member involved."

The 2gether website says Wotton Lawn Hospital is an 88 bed acute mental health hospital near the centre of Gloucester which provides inpatient services for the county of Gloucestershire.

The hospital has four admission wards, a nurse led psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) and a low secure unit (LSU).

It says service users are supported by a variety of healthcare workers including nurses, doctors, psychologists, art therapists, physiotherapists, occupational and sports exercise therapists.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Amnesia Appeal: Can You Name This Man?

A hospital has launched an appeal for help identifying an amnesia sufferer who is unable to remember his own name.

The man, believed to be in his early 20s, was found in a park near Peterborough bus station at 6am on May 18.

He told police he had no memory of who he was or how he came to be there.

He was not carrying any personal documents, a phone or a wallet.

Experts at Cavell Centre at Peterborough City Hospital say he is suffering from a very severe case of amnesia and has shown little sign of improvement over the last two months.

Doctors have now called on anyone who may know the man, who they have named Robert, to come forward.

Robert said: "The last few weeks have been truly horrible. I go through so many different emotions.

"At times I am angry, frustrated, depressed, lost and confused. I just need to find out my name and I hope someone out there will recognise me and help."

Robert is 5ft 9ins tall, weighs 13st and has dark hair and blue eyes.

His accent is thought to be eastern European, although he speaks English. He also understands some Lithuanian and Russian.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust on 01733 776014 between 8am and 8pm. Lines are open every day.

More follows...


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

MI5 'Allowed To Track Terror Plots On Internet'

May Says 'Snooper's Charter' Powers Vital

Updated: 4:28pm UK, Wednesday 25 June 2014

Home Secretary Theresa May has warned the internet risks becoming "a safe haven for terrorism and criminality" as she renewed her call for new surveillance powers.

She argued it was the loss of capability to the security services rather than concerns over mass monitoring, which posed the greatest threat to society.

The Secretary of State also repeated criticism of the US whistleblower Edward Snowden, who leaked tens of thousands of top-secret documents containing details of the activities of America's National Security Agency (NSA) and Britain's listening post GCHQ, arguing his actions put the UK at increased risk.

Mrs May, speaking at the Lord Mayor's Defence and Security Lecture at Mansion House, in the City of London, said she will continue to argue in favour of changing the law to extend powers for police and security services to access emails and social media.

Last year, the Government's Communications Data Bill, branded a "snooper's charter" by critics, was shelved in the face of opposition from the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats.

Reopening the debate over access to communications data, Mrs May said: "The real problem is not that we have built an over-mighty state but that the state is finding it harder to fulfil its most basic duty, which is to protect the public.

"That is why I have said before and I will go on saying that we need to make changes to the law to maintain the capabilities we need.

"Yes, we have to make sure that the capabilities can only be used with the right authorisation and with appropriate oversight.

"But this is quite simply a question of life and death, a matter of national security.

"We must keep on making the case until we get the changes we need."

The Home Secretary revealed at least 20 cases had been dropped by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in six months as a result of missing communications data - including 13 threat-to-life instances involving children.

She was speaking after the UK's top counter-terrorism officer, Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Cressida Dick, warned the powers of the police to combat terrorism were being ''degraded by the day'', because of the failure of surveillance powers to keep up with new communications technologies.

Mrs May: "It is much harder now - there is more data, we do not own it and we can no longer always obtain it.

"I know some people will say 'hurrah for that' - but the result is that we are in danger of making the internet an ungoverned, ungovernable space, a safe haven for terrorism and criminality.

"I know some people like the thought that the internet should become a libertarian paradise, but that will entail complete freedom not just for law-abiding people but for terrorists and criminals. I do not believe that is what the public wants.

"Loss of capability - not mass surveillance nor illegal and unaccountable behaviour - is the great danger we face."


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Syria Fighter Admits Training British Teens

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 09 Juli 2014 | 16.12

By Jason Farrell, Sky News Correspondent

A jihadi fighter in Syria has told Sky News he has been training British teenagers as young as 16 to fight in the war.

Yilmaz, a Dutch national who has been in the region for two years, said: "It's extremely easy to get here … People go on holiday, they end up in Syria."

Speaking via Skype, from the Idlib province of the war-torn country, the fighter insisted the majority of Britons did not pose a threat to their home country.

British Jihadis Special Report

But he added: "There is always the chance of a loose cannon doing something stupid, doing something crazy."

Asked how young his trainees from Britain were he replied: "16, 17 ... Most are in their 20s."

Security services in the UK estimate 400 to 500 British jihadists are involved in the conflict in Syria or Iraq, and there are concerns some may wish to return and commit terrorist acts when they return.

Three Muslims from Cardiff have appeared in an ISIS video from Syria and last week a social media account in the name of one of them posted pictures of homemade bombs.

British jihadis Three UK Muslims in Syria made a video calling for others to join them

Nasser Muthana, 20, appeared to warn that Britain should be afraid to allow him to return.

But Yilmaz, who was in the Dutch army and also worked in an old people's home in Holland, told Sky News: "We see this jihad in Syria as something holy.

"When I speak to the British fighters and the foreign fighters here, I just can't see them risking everything, coming home and committing crimes.

"It's funny, the British Government itself is funding and training, be it in Jordan or Syria, the Free Syrian Army. So the British Government is helping and I'm helping in my own way."

Muslim worshippers 'forced' to pray to Assad A video image purportedly showing Muslims forced to pray to President Assad

Yilmaz says he supports the goal of ISIS to overthrow the Syrian regime - but believes Iraq is a distraction.

On Sunday, it emerged that two 16-year-old twin sisters from Manchester had fled to Syria where it is feared they may have joined the ISIS fight.

Giving an insight into women's roles among his fighters, Yilmaz said: "Some brothers brought their wives or their sisters - but it's a supporting role, housework, washing, fixing clothes … there's no need for female fighters."

A British-born Londoner in the UK who converted to Islam six years ago told Sky News he believes it is his duty to go to Syria.

Suliman, a British born Londoner who wants to go to Syria Londoner Suliman would like to go to Syria after being inspired by videos

Suliman, who says he has not gone for family reasons, said: "It is the best death. If you are to die out there on the battlefield, it is the best death - if I did die - I'd have done something good for people, and that would surely be written down as a good deed."

Both Suliman and Yilmaz say they were influenced in their views about Syria by YouTube videos and by social media.

Haras Rariq, of the anti-extremist organisation the Quilliam Foundation, said: "The overwhelming majority of Muslims will reject going out to fight ISIS and rightly so, they shouldn't go. It's not Islamic, it's not what the Prophet talked about.

"But the problem is a small number will go and they're the people that we need to worry about."


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bomb Fears: 'Charge All Gadgets' For UK Flights

Airlines To Scrutinise Smartphones Amid Threat

Updated: 8:12am UK, Friday 04 July 2014

Airlines with direct flights to the US have been told to tighten their screening of mobile phones amid fears terrorists could use them in bomb attacks.

US officials singled out Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets for extra security checks.

They will apply to US-bound direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the officials said.

The new precautions come in response to requests from US authorities, who fear attacks on planes flying to America.

US security officials said they fear bomb makers from the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have worked out how to turn the phones into explosive devices which can avoid detection.

They also are concerned that hard-to-detect bombs could be built into shoes.

A US official said that other electronic devices carried by passengers also are likely to receive more intense scrutiny.

Airlines or airport operators that fail to strengthen security could face bans on flights entering the US.

On Thursday, the US Homeland Security Department announced on plans to step up general security checks, but offered few details on how airlines and airports will implement them.

An official familiar with the issues said the US believes that while it is possible there may be some additional delays at security checkpoints, at most major airports passengers will not be seriously inconvenienced.

The official said most passengers taking long-distance flights arrive well in advance of scheduled departures, leaving time for extra screening.

But he said the US could not rule out disruptions in countries where airport infrastructure and security procedures are less sophisticated.

In the UK, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the additional security was not expected to cause "significant" disruption to flights.

He told Sky News: "There will be extra security checks but they will be made in the course of events people already go through and I hope there will not be significant delays."

But British aviation security expert Philip Baum said heightened security will inevitably mean longer queues and increased waiting times to board flights at UK airports.

"It will mean (more) random searches, secondary searches and an increase in the number of passengers asked to remove shoes and possibly all passengers being asked to remove shoes if they're going on certain flights," he said.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Celebrities Among Hundreds Who 'Avoided Tax'

Several names from the world of showbiz have been accused of hiding their money in an aggressive tax avoidance scheme.

George Michael, Sir Michael Caine and Katie Melua all invested in the Liberty tax strategy, according to a report in The Times newspaper.

Some 1,600 people, including QCs, doctors, top businessmen, celebrities, criminals and a judge, are said to have invested in the scheme.

Michael Caine starred in The Italian Job and Alfie in the 1960s Sir Michael Caine has made 'no comment'

They are accused of trying to shelter a total of £1.2bn in Liberty, which ran between 2005 and 2009.

The scheme worked by making huge artificial "losses" offshore, which members could then use to avoid paying tax on other income.

It meant that for every £1 earned, investors could reduce the amount they paid to 7p in tax instead of 40p, while higher rate taxpayers could earn £1m each year tax free.

To do the latter, they had to pay £70,000 in fees to Mercury Tax Group, the company which ran the scheme.

Katie Melua Katie Melua says she has paid the tax to HMRC she would have owed

According to a document leaked to The Times, Michael is said to have paid £443,000 seeking to shelter £6.2m he earned from record and tour sales.

The newspaper said the singer told the Big Issue in 1996 he would be happy paying 50% to 60% tax under a Labour government.

The singer's spokesman told the paper his "busy schedule" meant he could not answer questions at present.

Singer Melua tried to shelter £850,000. Her lawyers said it was her accountants who did so and that when she found out, she paid the money back.

Arctic Monkeys All four members of the Arctic Monkeys declined to comment

Sir Michael, who is accused of sheltering £600,000, made "no comment", while four members of the Arctic Monkeys, who are each said to have sheltered between £557,000 and £1.1m, also declined to speak.

Sky's political correspondent Anushka Asthana said: "All of these celebrities are going to be targeted by a change of rule.

"HMRC is going to take this tax scheme to court next March but in the meantime the new rules mean they have to pay the money back.

"If they don't, the Government can go directly into their bank accounts and take it."

David Cameron David Cameron has called tax avoidance schemes "morally wrong"

A number of other celebrities have been identified as having used tax avoidance schemes in the past including Take That star Gary Barlow, who used another scheme set up by Icebreaker Management, and Jimmy Carr, who was said to have channelled cash through Jersey-based K2.

Tax avoidance is legal although David Cameron has described it as "morally wrong".

Asthana added: "The Prime Minister stuck the boot in when The Times first outed comedian Jimmy Carr as a tax avoider.

"He was a little less willing to do so when it was Conservative-supporting Gary Barlow, who had also invested in the scheme we are talking about today."

A HMRC spokesman said it did not comment on individual cases but added: "We are always happy to help the increasing numbers who want to disentangle themselves from the increasingly fruitless practice of tax avoidance."


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alzheimer's Test Could Be Ready In Two Years

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 08 Juli 2014 | 16.12

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

A blood test that identifies patients likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease could be available in two years, according to scientists.

The test, which works long before there are recognisable symptoms, is almost 90% accurate, new research shows.

And the inventors believe it would allow drugs to be tested in the early stages of the disease, in the hope of delaying or even stopping further deterioration.

Professor Simon Lovestone, who devised the test at King's College London, said: "A drug that worked in that preclinical phase would feel like prevention.

"You would go to your doctor take a drug and in effect you would have the clinical symptoms prevented - even if the clinical disease had started in your brain."

Doctors know that Alzheimer's starts to affect the brain at least 10 years before there are outward signs of the disease.

The new test identifies 10 key proteins in the blood of patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment who will go on to develop Alzheimer's in the next year.

Results of a major trial published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia show the test is 87% accurate.

Vivienne Hill daughter of an Alzheimer's sufferer talking to Sky News Vivienne Hill, whose mother had Alzheimer's, has welcomed the research

"Alzheimer's begins to affect the brain many years before patients are diagnosed," said Prof Lovestone.

"Many of our drug trials fail because by the time patients are given the drugs, the brain has already been too severely affected.

"A simple blood test could help us identify patients at a much earlier stage."

The test has been welcomed by Alzheimer's Research UK, which funded the study.

But Dr Eric Karran, the charity's science director, cautioned that it needs further refinement before being used by GPs to routinely diagnose the disease.

He told Sky News: "You have false positives, which is where the test says you are liable to get Alzheimer's disease but in fact the test is wrong.

"If this was some benign condition one wouldn't be bothered.

"But we know that Alzheimer's Disease is the most feared diagnosis. So it is very important to understand that point."

Vivienne Hill was devastated that doctors could do nothing to slow her mother Mary's symptoms. She welcomed the new research.

"We knew she was going to slowly deteriorate from a vibrant happy woman to someone who was bedridden for the last three years of her life who could not talk or do anything for herself," she said.

"It's horrible knowing that."


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

World Cup Touting: Briton Arrested In Brazil

A British director of a World Cup hospitality firm has been arrested as part of an investigation into illegal ticket sales.

Ray Whelan, who works for Fifa's exclusive official hospitality partner Match, was detained in Rio de Janeiro, police in the city confirmed.

Copacabana Palace hote Mr Whelan was arrested at the luxury Copacabana Palace Hotel

Mr Whelan's arrest comes days after 11 people were arrested in in the Brazilian city, suspected of being part of a multimillion-pound ticket touting operation.

He was arrested at the luxury Copacabana Palace Hotel, a hotel also being used by senior Fifa officials, including its president, Sepp Blatter.

The arrests were all part of Operation Jules Rimet, a probe by Brazilian police which has involved detectives tapping phones.

Authorities had been working on the theory that a senior official with links to Fifa was behind the scam, said Sky News Sports Correspondent Paul Kelso.

"It's embarrassing for Fifa. They don't want police crawling all over their hotel in the middle of Rio a few days before the final," he said.

World Cup Tickets Selling tickets for above face value is against Brazilian law

"Now they have more questions to answer about how tickets have apparently ended up on the black market.

"According to local reports, he (Mr Whelan) was seized with up to 100 tickets in his possession."

Pedro Dantas, a spokesman for the Rio de Janeiro State Security Secretariat, said Mr Whelan would spend the night at a police station and would "answer to the charges of alleged crime committed on Brazilian soil".

Police officer outside Copacabana Palace Hotel A civil police officer outside the hotel after the arrest

Reselling tickets for more than their face value is illegal in Brazil.

According to Fifa's website, the Match hospitality programme "offers clients premium tickets bundled together with a wide range of services such as facilities at the stadiums (including private suites and lounges and marquee tents), gourmet catering, preferential parking, entertainment and gifts."

The arrest comes after the son of Fifa vice president Julio Grondona last week found himself facing accusations of selling on tickets at more than face value.

He denied the claims, but said he had given away some tickets to a friend.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Channel Tunnel Passengers Face More Disruption

Eurotunnel passengers are facing continued delays and cancellations after a broken-down train forced an evacuation.

Four Eurostar services - carrying passengers between St Pancras and Paris - were cancelled on Tuesday morning as engineers worked to repair "unresolved and ongoing" damage to the power supply inside the tunnel.

An update from Eurotunnel - which takes passengers and their vehicles from Folkestone to Calais - said one-third of the tunnel remained closed at 7am, it was expected to be fully open by mid-morning.

Passengers on Monday Stranded motorists faced long delays on Monday

Car traffic was experiencing a one hour delay, while commercial vehicles were having to wait slightly longer.

Almost 400 passengers from a Eurotunnel train were evacuated from a train about 7.5 miles into the 30-mile long tunnel on Monday morning when the France-bound shuttle came to a halt amid an overhead power line problem.

Eurostar said its services were also experiencing delays of around 60 minutes.

Passengers on Monday Services from London's St Pancras Station were disrupted

"These technical issues, which are beyond Eurostar's control, have, regrettably, led to significant disruption to Eurotunnel shuttle and Eurostar services, a spokeswoman said.

"As a consequence of the ongoing loss of power, Eurotunnel has informed Eurostar that some further disruption should be expected to services on Tuesday morning."

The cancelled services are:

:: London to Paris, 7.31am departure, service 9006

:: Paris to London, 11.43am departure, service 9025

:: London to Brussels, 8.58am departure, service 9116

:: Brussels to London, 8:52am departure, service 9117

Passenger One delayed passenger had a costume on hand

Passengers who were due to travel on the cancelled services will be offered full refunds or given the chance to exchange tickets, free of charge, for travel at a future date.

Passengers on all other services should check-in as usual, the company added.

Eurostar said it was contacting affected passengers to alert them to the disruption to services.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Two Men Escape From Open Prison In Lancashire

Written By Unknown on Senin, 07 Juli 2014 | 16.12

Two inmates - one serving a sentence for firearms offences - are on the run after absconding from an open prison in Lancashire.

Philip Stephenson, 33, and Gareth Robinson, 24, both from the Oldham area, fled together from HMP Kirkham on Saturday.

Robinson was in prison for burglary, Greater Manchester Police said.

Stephenson, according to the Oldham Chronicle, had been charged with selling or transferring an illegal firearm and possession of ammunition.

They are believed to have got into a silver Volkswagen Golf before heading in the direction of Oldham.

Anyone who offers the men help has been warned they may face action themselves.

Detective Chief Inspector John Mazzolai said: "Neither of these men has been seen since they escaped from prison on Saturday.

"They are not to be approached by members of the public, but if anyone sees them or knows of their whereabouts, please contact GMP on 101 immediately.

"If you would prefer to pass on information anonymously, then you can do this by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"I would also like to remind people that if anyone is found to be assisting or harbouring these wanted men, they too will face being arrested and a possible prison sentence of their own. So please get in touch if you know where they are."

Open prisons have sparked controversy in recent months after a spate of incidents when inmates have gone on the run.

In the most high-profile case, Michael Wheatley, who is known as the "Skull Cracker", carried out a raid on a building society while on the run from HMP Standford Hill in Kent in May.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said swift action was being taken to try to stop future incidents,

"The Justice Secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has ordered immediate and major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility.

"Absconds have reached record lows under this Government - down 80% over the last 10 years - but each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency."


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Twin Girls Flee UK To 'Join Syria Militants'

By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent

Twin sisters have fled their home in the UK and travelled to Syria where it is feared they may have joined ISIS fighters.

The 16-year-old girls from Manchester crept out of their bedroom in the middle of the night and boarded a flight to Istanbul in Turkey.

Police say their parents found their beds empty at 8pm last Thursday. They later found out the pair were on their way to Syria.

Counter-terrorism officers were then alerted after the girls made contact with their family from Syria where their elder brother is believed to be a jihadi fighter.

The girls have been missing for more than ten days, but a spokesman for Greater Manchester police told Sky News there was now "a contact strategy" with the twins.

"The girls flew from Manchester International to Istanbul. They then appear to have phoned home.

"We don't know exactly where they are but their family are obviously very keen to have them returned home.

"We are attempting to locate them and secure the well-being of both girls."

The family, of Somali origin, are believed to have moved to the UK 10 years ago.

It is not clear how the two college students were able to afford to pay for the flights.

A spokesman added: "It's unlikely that two 16-year-old girls would be able to afford two expensive flights.

"So we are looking at the possibility that they had a contact there.

"It's definitely a line of enquiry that their trip could have been bankrolled by a third party - that it was pre-planned."

The girls' flight to Syria comes the day after video footage emerged of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi calling on all Muslims to obey him.

In what were thought to be the first images ever taken of the self-proclaimed caliph, al Baghdadi was shown issuing a sermon in a Syrian mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.

Former government minister and Conservative MP Liam Fox said there was a limited amount that could be done to stop people travelling abroad to fight.

He told Sky News: "The British Government is taking it very seriously ... and has frozen the assets of those found to be fighting with ISIS.

"It is also the responsibility of the entire Muslim community, particularly the clerics, to make clear that this sort of behaviour is deeply un-Islamic."


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Network Rail '£53m Fine' For Low Punctuality

Network Rail (NR) has "failed to deliver" on punctuality for major routes over the past year, according to the industry regulator.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said that during 2013/14 Network Rail saw long-distance and major commuter line punctuality was 86.9%.

The ORR said the figure "fell significantly short" of the average punctuality target of 92%.

The watchdog said that as a result, NR has been ordered to return £53.1m to the Treasury.

The ORR said NR "did not deliver all of its plans to improve performance" for long-distance punctuality, in the five years to the end of March.

It added: "And, particularly in the early years of the (five-year) funding period, had insufficient knowledge of the condition of its key assets, such as earthworks, electrical equipment and drainage".

Routes around the capital were slightly better than across the country but still fell short of expectations.

London and South East England (LSE) passenger services in 2013/14 saw punctuality levels of 89.6% against a target figure of 93%.

The ORR added: "As a result of missing its funded obligations, and to address issues which have disrupted services for passengers, the company has committed extra funds to improve the resilience of the rail network in LSE.

"Plans expected to include projects costing at least £25m must be in place by December 2014."

Between 2009 and 2014, the ORR said around 73,100 additional late trains over and above funded obligations, while for the LSE area there were some 265,500 additional late trains.

However, the ORR said NR did achieve infrastructure targets, bringing in rail enhancement plans on time and within budget.

NR chief executive Mark Carne, who joined in February, said: "We accept that we have fallen short of the regulatory targets for train punctuality and that this is, in part, down to our failure to reduce infrastructure faults quickly enough.

"At the same time, the sharp increase in passenger demand has led us to run more trains at peak times, even when we know this will lead to a more congested railway and punctuality targets may suffer."

Meanwhile, there has been a pledge to spend up to £90m to improve free railway internet wifi access across England and Wales, in part funded by the fine imposed on NR over punctuality failures.

Passengers on busy routes will be able get wifi connections said to be at least 10 times faster than those currently available.

Commuters on routes into London from Bedford, Brighton, Kent and Portsmouth are expected to benefit, along with those using services into Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Airport Security Checks 'Unavoidable'

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 06 Juli 2014 | 16.12

Airlines To Scrutinise Smartphones Amid Threat

Updated: 8:12am UK, Friday 04 July 2014

Airlines with direct flights to the US have been told to tighten their screening of mobile phones amid fears terrorists could use them in bomb attacks.

US officials singled out Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets for extra security checks.

They will apply to US-bound direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the officials said.

The new precautions come in response to requests from US authorities, who fear attacks on planes flying to America.

US security officials said they fear bomb makers from the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have worked out how to turn the phones into explosive devices which can avoid detection.

They also are concerned that hard-to-detect bombs could be built into shoes.

A US official said that other electronic devices carried by passengers also are likely to receive more intense scrutiny.

Airlines or airport operators that fail to strengthen security could face bans on flights entering the US.

On Thursday, the US Homeland Security Department announced on plans to step up general security checks, but offered few details on how airlines and airports will implement them.

An official familiar with the issues said the US believes that while it is possible there may be some additional delays at security checkpoints, at most major airports passengers will not be seriously inconvenienced.

The official said most passengers taking long-distance flights arrive well in advance of scheduled departures, leaving time for extra screening.

But he said the US could not rule out disruptions in countries where airport infrastructure and security procedures are less sophisticated.

In the UK, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the additional security was not expected to cause "significant" disruption to flights.

He told Sky News: "There will be extra security checks but they will be made in the course of events people already go through and I hope there will not be significant delays."

But British aviation security expert Philip Baum said heightened security will inevitably mean longer queues and increased waiting times to board flights at UK airports.

"It will mean (more) random searches, secondary searches and an increase in the number of passengers asked to remove shoes and possibly all passengers being asked to remove shoes if they're going on certain flights," he said.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scotland Moves To Slash Drink-Drive Limit

By Niall Paterson, Scotland Correspondent

Drinking a pint or a single glass of wine could soon put you over the legal driving limit in Scotland, under proposals due to reach the Scottish Parliament in the next few weeks.

Currently more than 80mg of alcohol in the bloodstream per 100ml would make you a drunk driver - the Scottish Government wants to reduce that to 50mg.

That would bring Scotland into line with Germany, France and Spain - but create a situation where crossing the Scottish border after consuming one drink could lead to a drink-driving conviction.

Thirty people are killed on Scottish roads each year as a result of alcohol, and 150 seriously injured.

Across Scotland almost 7,500 people are convicted of drink-driving offences each year.

First Minister Alex Salmond recently branded Scotland a "nation of drunks".

Man Drinking beer A pint of beer could be enough to push drivers in Scotland over the limit

The proposals have been welcomed by many families of those injured or killed by drunk drivers.

Stacey Muldoon, a 23-year-old mother from Lanarkshire, was killed in 2008 when the driver of the car taking her home from a night out crashed into a lamppost.

He was later found to be twice over the legal limit. Her sister, Leigh Payne, believes lowering the limit will in future prevent many other deaths.

"We're coming into line with most of Europe and some of America", Ms Payne told Sky News.

"We've done loads of research and definitely bringing it down to 50mg is the way to go.

"I think that people will now realise that it's not acceptable to have a drink . Physically ordering a drink and drinking it with your dinner you cannot do with 50mg.

Grave of Stacey Muldoon, a 23-year-old mother from Lanarkshire, was killed in 2008 when the driver of the car taking her home from a night out crashed into a lamppost. Stacey Muldoon died in a car where the driver was over the limit

"Stacey left a twin sister, Kelly. She left two wee girls. They are now 10 and eight. My mum and dad have lost something they can never get back."

The Scottish Government says lowering the limit is a priority. Yet it has been two years since it first consulted on the issue and, as a devolved matter, it does not require legislative action by Westminster.

There has been resistance from the alcohol and pub sector. 

"I think it will lead to loss of business," says Bridgit Simmons, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association.

"Of course pubs serve many soft drinks, there's been a growth in coffee, people eat there, but inevitably people do go to the pub to have one drink...

Bridgit Simmons, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association. Bridgit Simmons is concerned the change will damage business for pubs

"They've understood what they can do until now but confusion will mean they just won't go out, and that's of concern to us."

The Scottish Government said it hopes to introduce a bill affecting the change some time in August.

A spokesperson said: "We are working with Police Scotland and the UK Government to prepare for a lower limit, including obtaining the necessary type approvals for the devices used by the police to test drivers. 

"As a lower limit cannot be brought in until the necessary approvals are obtained through the UK Government, we have made clear to the UK Government that we view introducing a lower limit in Scotland as a key priority which we want to introduce as soon as possible."


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Silverstone Gears Up For Grand Prix Anniversary

By Enda Brady, Sky News Reporter

Formula One legends are descending on Silverstone this weekend for a special parade to mark the 50th British Grand Prix to be held at the world famous Northamptonshire circuit.

Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi are the latest F1 heroes to confirm that they will be taking part, with a bumper crowd expected for a day of celebration at the former airfield.

"The British Grand Prix is the jewel in the crown of British motor sport and one of the most important races on the Formula 1 calendar," said Richard Philips, Silverstone's managing director. 

"The drivers often comment that Silverstone is up there with circuits like Monaco, Monza and Spa as a race they really want to win.

Silverstone Silverstone is expecting one of its largest ever crowds for today's race

"2014 will be extra special with plenty of commemorative events and activities for fans to look forward to, as well as the race itself, which promises to be as exciting as ever as the teams fight to get the most out of their cars under the new regulations."

Much has changed since that first race at Silverstone in 1948 (several British Grand Prix were held away from there), but the heritage and history remains as strong as ever, not to mention the increasing financial firepower F1 brings to the UK economy.

Mr Philips added: "This region is now a thriving motorsport powerhouse, contributing around £9bn to the British economy and that is all down to Silverstone. Nine of the 11 teams are based in and around here and it all comes down to the Silverstone factor."

Silverstone leaflet 1948 Silverstone hosted its first Grand Prix in 1948

The first British Grand Prix at the track was won by the Italian driver Luigi Villoresi in a Maserati.

Two years later the World Championship was founded and Silverstone was given the honour of staging the first round, with a huge crowd of 150,000 people turning out, only for star attraction Juan Miguel Fangio to break down mid-race.

The first ever British winner was Peter Collins in 1958, whose victory came just weeks before his death in the German Grand Prix.

"The cars were very, very different back then," said Jackie Oliver, who raced in F1 in the 1960s and 1970s before going on to become a team owner.

Silverstone 1948 Today Silverstone contributes £9bn to the British economy

"It was an amazing rush to race around Silverstone in those vehicles. They look very different now, but the excitement of a British Grand Prix remains.

"It's a very unique place. I absolutely love coming here, the history of the place gives me goosebumps."

There have been 10 British winners at Silverstone, with Lewis Hamilton the last in 2008.

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle added: "Classic events like Silverstone mean so much. It's a really important race for British F1 drivers. Not having a British Grand Prix would be like not having a Monaco Grand Prix or Monza.

Former F1 driver and team owner Jackie Oliver Former F1 driver Jackie Oliver says Silverstone is a 'very unique place'

"It has a massive halo effect on everything we do, including helping to develop young drivers into Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, rally or Le Mans drivers. Look how important the British motor sport industry is to this country.

"We have this incredible business, history, heritage that is British motor sport, and the British Grand Prix is at the heart of it all.

"Thank goodness we have such amazing fans. The spectators keep the British Grand Prix alive, because we don't have government funding. It is driven by selling tickets."

Britain's Lewis Hamilton will be starting in sixth place when the race gets under way later on today.


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger