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Hospitals Told To End 'Unfair' Parking Charges

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 23 Agustus 2014 | 16.12

Hospitals have been told to give free or cheap parking to the relatives of chronically ill patients.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said new guidelines for English hospitals have been created in order to end the stress of "unfair" charges.

Patients with disabilities, those who have frequent appointments and members of staff working shifts will also benefit from the changes, Mr Hunt said.

The guidelines state hospital trusts should waive fines when an overstay is beyond the control of the driver, for instance if treatment takes longer than planned.

Jeremy Hunt Jeremy Hunt has come under pressure from Tory backbenchers on the issue

Mr Hunt last month admitted he was concerned about parking fees being charged at some hospitals after being pressed by backbenchers to end "rip-off" costs.

The guidance sets out for the first time that hospital trusts are responsible for the actions of any private firms they use to run parking facilities.

It also calls on hospitals to look at introducing pay on exit systems so those visiting only pay for the time they have used.

Mr Hunt said: "Patients and families shouldn't have to deal with the added stress of unfair parking charges.

"These clear ground rules set out our expectations, and will help the public hold the NHS to account for unfair charges or practices."


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'Asbos For Extremists' To Tackle UK Jihadists

By Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent

Home Secretary Theresa May is planning to bring in new laws to tackle the threat of British jihadists - including "anti-social behaviour orders" for extremists.

Mrs May will announce a three-point plan to counter British Muslim extremists, warning that the security threat to the UK will continue for decades.

The measures would target the activities of radical preachers, such as Anjem Choudary, whose extreme rhetoric currently does not constitute a crime.

Full details are yet to emerge, but the new power will be designed to restrict extremists' behaviour and language.

As with an Asbo, it could result in a criminal conviction carrying a jail term if breached.

Mrs May has unveiled her crackdown in an article in the Daily Telegraph.

Theresa May Theresa May's warning echoes recent comments from David Cameron

She discloses that she will make it illegal to join extremist groups that preach violent views, but are not directly involved in terrorism.

Currently, the threshold for banning membership of organisations, such as the Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIL), requires the Home Secretary to prove that the group is directly involved in terrorist acts.

The new power could target Islamist political organisations and other Muslim groups that tacitly support extremism.

In addition, state-funded organisations such as councils and schools will be given a new legal obligation to combat extremists.

Mrs May uses the Telegraph article to echo a warning about extremism made by the Prime Minister in a newspaper report last weekend.

The Home Secretary writes: "We are in the middle of a generational struggle against a deadly extremist ideology.

British jihadis Cardiff students Khan (L) and Muthana (C) appeared in an IS video

"We will be engaged in this struggle for many years, probably decades. We must give ourselves all the legal powers we need to prevail.

"I am looking again at the case for new banning orders for extremist groups that fall short of the legal threshold for terrorist proscription, as well as for new civil powers to target extremists who seek to radicalise others."

The measures proposed by Mrs May are similar to recommendations for legislation made by the Government's Extremism Task Force last December.

Those recommendations were surprisingly omitted from the Queen's Speech this year.

But there is no suggestion yet that the Home Secretary plans to introduce emergency legislation when MPs return to the Commons on September 1.

David Cameron said during his brief return to Downing Street from his holiday after the murder of journalist James Foley that there would be "no knee-jerk reaction".

Muslim cleric Anjem Choudary speaks to a group of demonstrators protesting a film apparently made in the US that they say insults the Islamic faith as they demonstrate outside the US embassy in central London on September 14, 2012. Radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary

The problem of radicalisation was highlighted in June when two Cardiff students - Reyaad Khan, 20, Nasser Muthana, also 20, - were identified in a propaganda video for IS posted on YouTube.

The two men along with Muthana's younger brother Aseel, 17, were lured to join extremists fighting in Syria and Iraq.

And a jihadi fighter in Syria told Sky News in July that he was training British teenagers as young as 16 to fight in the war.

Yvette Cooper, Labour's shadow home secretary, said: "More action is needed to respond to the serious problem of people travelling to fight with ISIL.

"The Home Secretary's confirmation that she is continuing to look at the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Taskforce, announced last December, is welcome.

"Though there remains no detail on things like civil powers to tackle extremists or extremist groups for people to consider.

"However I remain concerned that the Government is not addressing the gaps in the Prevent programme - especially the lack of support for community led approaches to preventing radicalisation.

"And the Home Secretary also needs to respond to the concerns raised by the current and previous Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation about the decision to weaken control orders, where they have advised that stronger measures should be put in place."


16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Two Men Charged Over Tilbury Docks Death

Two men from County Londonderry in Northern Ireland have been charged with people smuggling after an immigrant was found dead in a shipping container at Tilbury Docks.

Essex Police said Stephen McLaughlin, 34, from Limavady, and Timothy Murphy, 34, from Derry, have been charged with conspiring to facilitate illegal entry into the UK.

A police statement said: "The men, who are both lorry drivers, have been detained in police custody to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court today."

It follows the discovery of 34 people in a container at the Port of Tilbury, south Essex, on August 16.

Meet Singh Kapoor, 40, from Afghanistan, was found dead inside the airtight container on a ship that had arrived from Zeebrugge in Belgium.

A post-mortem examination on Mr Kapoor had failed to establish the cause of his death and inquiries are continuing.

The rest of the group of Afghan Sikhs from Kabul, which included 13 children, survived the ordeal.

They are believed to have fled Afghanistan after suffering persecution and are in the process of claiming asylum in the UK.


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Failing Doctors Could Be Forced To Say Sorry

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 22 Agustus 2014 | 16.12

Doctors could be forced to say sorry to patients or their relatives if they have been found to have made a mistake.

The proposed move is part of the General Medical Council (GMC) consultation which will help "improve patient protection and public confidence in doctors".

Whether or not they have apologised may also be taken into account when a fitness to practice panel is deciding on what sanctions the medic faces, the document said.

And those who fail to blow the whistle on a failing colleague could face stricter sanctions under the plans.

"In the vast majority of cases one-off clinical errors do not merit any action by the GMC," said GMC chief executive Niall Dickson.

"But if we are to maintain that trust, in the small number of serious cases where doctors fail to listen to concerns and take action sooner to protect patients, they should be held to account for their actions.

"We want patients, doctors and other professionals to give us their views - this consultation is a chance to make sure the action we take is fair to doctors while never losing our focus on protecting the public."

The consultation was launched today and will close on November 14.

Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard, honorary treasurer of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "Patient safety is always of paramount importance and GPs work really hard to ensure that all patients receive the best possible care.

"All GP practices have a system to review instances where things could have gone better and GPs are required to reflect on 'significant events' during their annual appraisal and through the revalidation process.

"Anything that further improves the care that we deliver to our patients - and the trust that they have in us should be welcomed.

"But it is essential that any action resulting from these proposals is taken in the best interests of patient safety and care and not used as an excuse to criticise doctors who are doing a very difficult job in increasingly difficult circumstances."


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First-Time Buyers 'Getting A Shot At Long Last'

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

The number of first-time buyer sales has hit a seven-year high, according to new figures from LSL Property Services.

There were 30,000 first-time buyer sales in July, up by 25% on a year before and the highest number of monthly first-time buyers since August 2007.

At the same time, the data reveal average first-time buyer deposits are 10% lower than this time last year.

Down payments averaged £26,642 in June, a decrease from £29,609 12 months ago.

David Newnes, from LSL Property Services, said: "A whole generation of young buyers were trapped on the sidelines of the property market as the economy recovered from the recession, struggling to save for a deposit whilst inflation remained stubbornly high, savings rates were stuck at a historic low, and real wages fell.

"But the recent increase in high LTV (loan to value) lending options - enabled by Help to Buy - has allowed them a shot at getting on the ladder at long last."

Yet purchase prices are on the rise, and mortgage rates are climbing, meaning buyers could still struggle with debt and repayments.

First-time buyers paid 8% more over the last year, with the average price paid for a new home now £155,844, according to LSL Property Services.

Simultaneously, average mortgage rates climbed for the fourth consecutive month in July to 4.19%.


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Middle Lane Hogging Rife Despite Fine Threat

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Correspondent

A year since laws were brought in to stop motorists hogging the middle lane, more than half of drivers admit they still do it.

New research has found 52% of motorists know that middle lane hogging is illegal.

Yet despite this, 59% owned up to staying in the central lane, rather than just using it for overtaking, with those aged 65 and over being the worst offenders.

The South East of England was also found to be the country's middle lane hot spot, with the M4 near Slough having the highest incidence of hogging.

The analysis came from traffic flow data from nearly 6,500 sites on the Highways Agency motorway network and the insurance firm Direct Line.

The most common reason for why people drove in the middle lane was because it is an easier way to drive on motorways because it saves changing lanes.

Rob Miles, director of car insurance at Direct Line said: "Lane hogging causes congestion, reduces the capacity of the roads, and most crucially, can be dangerous. 

"It is also illegal which means drivers could face a £100 on-the-spot fine and three points on their licence if caught.

"Motorists are risking their own safety and the safety of other road users through their actions so we'd urge them to be aware of the other lanes and drivers around them when on the road.

"If the inside lane has space, you should move into it."

Benjamin Heydecker, Professor of Transport Studies at University College London, fears that as well as adding to congestion and accidents, middle lane hogging is also a sign that people are driving around in a dream.

Prof Heydecker said: "Annoying other drivers is a bad idea, it doesn't add to road safety, but also I'm concerned that the drivers that are holding the middle lane aren't engaged in the driving task and that's bad for safety."

In August 2013 the Government introduced new careless driving laws to curb lane hogging and tailgating; those caught by police now face a £100 fine and points on their licence.

There are currently no nationwide figures for the number of people pulled over for lane hogging, but the Department for Transport told Sky News they intend to undertake research to examine how effective the introduction of careless driving as a fixed penalty offence has been.


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International Manhunt For 'John' The IS Killer

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 21 Agustus 2014 | 16.12

Counter-terrorism police in the UK say they are investigating the English-accented Islamic State fighter who beheaded journalist James Foley.

In a video posted by the militant group to social media sites, the man speaks English and blames US airstrikes for the killing of the 40-year-old American.

The killer, who is clad in black and covers his face during the video, speaks with a southeastern English accent, appears to be left-handed and is of average height.

The man has reportedly been identified as one of a group of Britons holding foreign hostages in Syria.

Speaking to Sky News, the Guardian's Martin Chulov said the man called himself "John", and was the leader of several Britons who guard prisoners in the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa.

James Foley James Foley was made to read out a statement before he was killed

"We spoke to a hostage today who was released several months ago and he clearly identified to us this man in the video," Mr Chulov said.

"He identified him as a British national, one of three British nationals who were responsible for guarding foreign prisoners in Raqqa.

"He was the leader of the pack, someone who was very assertive and was responsible for negotiations with hostage families and certainly had spoken to many mums, dads, (and) wives on Skype."

Mr Chulov said the man is likely to have been fighting with IS for at least a year.

"These are not newcomers. These guys have been around for quite some time - at least a year, and potentially 18 months.

"Throughout that time they had a leadership role in terms of guarding the foreign prisoners in Raqqa, all of whom had become very valuable to the Islamic State organisation.

Brighton student Abdullah Deghayes, 18, killed in Syria Abdullah Deghayes was killed while fighting in Syria in May

"The fact that this British national speaks such fluent English, he writes fluent English as well, he has been given a lot of trust and authority within the jihadist structure in Raqqa."

The Metropolitan Police Service Counter Terrorism Command said it is investigating the video.

It added: "We would like to remind the public that viewing, downloading or disseminating extremist material within the UK may constitute an offence under Terrorism legislation."

At least 400 people are known to have travelled from the UK to Syria and Iraq to fight for Islamic State (IS) - formerly known as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Concerns have been raised that radicalised young men from Western countries will return to their home nations and could be used to carry out attacks.

Sky's Middle East Correspondent Sherine Tadros said: "We know that around 400 British nationals have joined IS, probably more than that in the last few months as their recruitment has gone into overdrive.

"Now they are being used in these more serious videos to try to pressure foreign governments - and also people in these countries - to try to pressure their governments not to intervene."

British jihadis Nasser Muthana, centre, has been disowned by his father

Security agencies, including the FBI and MI5, will be tracking those who have travelled to Iraq and Syria to join the militant organisation.

A Home Office spokesperson added: "The police and security services are actively working to detect and disrupt terrorist threats.

"People seeking to travel to engage in terrorist activity in Syria or Iraq should be in no doubt we will take the strongest possible action to protect our national security, including prosecuting those who break the law.

"We also have a wide range of powers at our disposal to disrupt travel and manage the risk posed by returnees."

Radicalisation expert Shiraz Maher told Sky News that Britons were at the "forefront" of the IS conflict and were "not taking a back seat" in the violence.

Crawley father-of-three Abdul Waheed Majeed, 41, became the first Briton suspected of staging a suicide bomb attack when he attacked a jail in Aleppo in February.

In May, 18-year-old Abdullah Deghayes, from Brighton, was killed while fighting in Syria alongside his two brothers Jafar and Amer.


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Sexual Crimes On Britain's Trains Increase

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Correspondent

The number of sexual crimes committed on trains in England, Wales and Scotland has gone up in the past year.

The latest figures released by British Transport Police (BTP) show a 20% increase, with 1,117 sexual offences in 2013/14 compared to 925 in 2012/13.

Most were against women but men were also victims.

BTP said the increase was slightly higher than that experienced by police forces nationally, but believed it was partly down to people being more willing to report incidents in the wake of high-profile prosecutions of celebrities for historical sexual offences.

Overall, for the 10th year in a row, there has been a drop in the number of the most serious crimes committed on Britain's railways, falling from 53,885 to 50,840 in 2012/13 - more than 3,000 fewer offences.

It includes a reduction of 18% in recorded robberies, a 17% drop in theft of passenger property and a 37% fall in theft of cable from the railway.

Speaking about the rise in sexual offences, BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther said the force's Project Guardian had had a significant impact.

He said the scheme "focuses on increasing awareness and confidence among the public to report unwanted sexual behaviour to the police or members of staff".

"We are particularly interested in those offences which are often unreported, such as sexual assault, exposure, outraging public decency, lewd comments and harassment," he said.

"For the coming months and years we will have one simple goal - to make sure everyone who travels or works on the railway can get home every day, safe, secure and on time."

Figures show that 15% of women who have used the underground or trains in London have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour on the network, but 90% did not report it because they did not think it was serious enough.

Jodie Mcleay told Sky News that she did not tell police what happened to her on a train at midday from the capital to Luton.

She said: "It was a reasonably packed train and I heard a man behind me and realised he was acting quite inappropriately for that time of day.

"I think I was shocked more than anything, a bit disgusted and then didn't know how to react, whether to make a scene."


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GCSE Pass Rate Falls For Second Year Running

The overall GCSE pass rate has fallen for the second year running amid concerns changes to the exam system would hit results.

But the proportion of GCSE exams awarded at least a C grade has risen, official figures show.

Just over two thirds (68.8%) of entries scored A*-C, up 0.7 percentage points on last summer, according to statistics published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

The A*-G pass rate is down 0.3 percentage points to 98.5% from 98.8% in 2013.

The proportion of entries awarded the highest grade has also fallen slightly, with 6.7% gaining an A*, down from 6.8% last year.

It is the third year in a row that this has dropped.

The statistics also show the gender gap has widened at grade C and above this year, with 73.1% of girls' entries scoring A*-C compared with 64.3% of boys'.

But boys are closing the gap at A*, with 5.2% of entries scoring the top grade compared with 8.1% of girls', a difference of 2.9 percentage points, down from three percentage points last summer.

Michael Turner, director general of the JCQ, said: "There has been a significant amount of change to the system this year and although UK level figures are relatively stable we expect more schools and colleges to see volatility in their results.

"Entry patterns are very different this year. We have seen a dramatic decline in the number of entries from 15-year-olds, which is largely due to a change in the school accountability measure, where a candidate's first entry counts in performance tables, and the move to end-of-year exams in England.

"As we would expect, where the change in entry patterns is greatest, such as the sciences, English and maths, we have seen some impact on results."

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Worker Dies After Eastbourne Pier Plunge

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 20 Agustus 2014 | 16.12

A worker has died after plummeting from the fire-damaged Eastbourne Pier.

Emergency services were called just after 4pm on Tuesday to reports that a man had fallen from the pier, Sussex Police said.

An air ambulance landed on the beach, but the 44-year-old from Cumbria was declared dead at the scene and taken to Eastbourne mortuary.

His next of kin have been advised but he has not yet been formally named.

Sussex Police and the Health and Safety Executive will conduct an investigation into the incident.

Part of the 144-year-old pier was destroyed on July 30.

Up to 80 firefighters battled the blaze at the Grade II listed Victorian attraction, which left the dome-shaped amusement arcade near the entrance a charred shell.

The pier was evacuated quickly and no one was trapped by the fire.


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Bullying Partners Could Face Five Years In Jail

People in a relationship who consistently emotionally and psychologically bully their partner could face jail under Government plans.

The legislation is aimed at protecting victims whose partners threaten them with violence, cut them off from friends or refuse them access to money.

Home Secretary Theresa May is looking at creating a new offence which would give emotional abuse the same status under law as physical abuse.

Currently non-violent coercive and controlling behaviour is covered by legislation that concentrates on stalking and harassment. This does not explicitly apply to intimate relationships.

Polly Neate, Women's Aid chief executive, said: "This is a vital step forward for victims of domestic violence.

"Two women a week are killed by domestic violence, and in our experience of working with survivors, coercive controlling behaviour is at the heart of the most dangerous abuse."

The Home Secretary said: "The Government is clear that abuse is not just physical. Victims who are subjected to a living hell by their partners must have the confidence to come forward.

"Meanwhile, I want perpetrators to be in no doubt that their cruel and controlling behaviour is criminal."

The Government has also introduced the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, known as Clare's Law after 36-year-old Clare Wood who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2009, which enables the police to disclose information about previous violent offending by a partner.

And the introduction earlier this year of Domestic Violence Protection Orders means perpetrators of domestic abuse can be prevented from returning to the home for up to 28 days.


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Internet Porn 'Too Easy For Teens To Access'

By Tom Cheshire, Technology Correspondent

Eight out of 10 18-year-olds think it is too easy for young people to see pornography online, according to a new survey.

Viewing pornography becomes "typical" as early as 13, according to the research carried out by Opinium on behalf of the Institute for Public Policy Research.

The think tank says 46% of those surveyed said "sending sexual or naked photos or videos is part of everyday life for teenagers nowadays".

And 77% of young women say "pornography has led to pressure on girls or young women to look a certain way".

A total of 75% agree "pornography has led to pressure on girls and young women to act a certain way".

Esme Ossrich, 15, told Sky News: "People are having sex from a younger age because they've watched porn, and they think they're ready to do it.

"They should get rid of it. People should have to have IDs. Being able to access it from when you're 11 years old is just sick."

Beata Kuczynska, also 15, told Sky News: "I know people who are underage who have had sex because they've been influenced by pornography.

"They should make it a lot harder to access."

Dalia Ben-Galim, IPPR associate director, said: "This new polling data shows that pornographic images are pervasive in teenagers' lives and that young women in particular are acutely conscious of how damaging they can be.

"It paints a worrying picture about the way online pornography is shaping the attitudes and behaviour of young people.

"The images and the type of pornography that young people can access quite readily is much more explicit and more violent than young people have been able to access in the past."

The survey also found 72% of 18-year-olds said "pornography leads to unrealistic attitudes to sex".

And 66% of young women and 49% of young men agreed that "it would be easier growing up if pornography was less easy to access for young people".

Matthewos Alem, 17, told Sky News: "It changes young people's minds and their perception on women, how they see them."

But experts warned that the problem should not be blamed just on the internet.

Clinical psychologist Dr Lucy Maddox said: "It's not the only medium where issues of sexual identity and relationships are coming up.

"It's more about the way we talk about these issues in general as a socaiety and in our families, rather than something just to do with technology."


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Sir Cliff Richard Hires High-Profile Lawyer

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 19 Agustus 2014 | 16.12

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent, Portugal

Sir Cliff Richard has hired the celebrities' go-to criminal lawyer to defend him against a sex assault allegation.

London solicitor Ian Burton flew into Portugal with a colleague and spent five hours in a meeting at the pop star's wine estate overlooking the Algarve coast.

Sir Cliff, 73, was spotted saying goodbye to them at the door of his villa before an aide drove them back to Faro airport to catch their return flight.

The pop star has rarely been seen since returning to his home near Albufeira on Friday, the day after police raided his Berkshire apartment as part of a sex assault investigation.

A man has accused Sir Cliff of sexually attacking him during an evangelical rally in Sheffield in 1985.

The multi-millionaire singer emerged in the grounds of his Portuguese home on Saturday when six friends arrived by car to play tennis.

Sir Cliff played a singles game on Sunday, but did not play on Monday as he spent time with the lawyers.

Sir Cliff Richard A man has accused Sir Cliff Richard of sexually assaulting him in 1985

Mr Burton, the senior partner in the firm he founded Burton Copeland, is considered one of the Britain's most successful and experienced lawyers.

He has represented football manager Harry Redknapp, who was cleared of tax evasion, PR agent Max Clifford, who was jailed for sex offences, and former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed.

His company has also represented TV cook Nigella Lawson, jockey Kieren Fallon, who was acquitted of race-fixing, and the late singer Amy Winehouse.

The online law guide Legal 500 described Mr Burton as "tough and canny" and wrote in an assessment of his ability: "If there is a chance of nipping an investigation in the bud, he will do it."

Mr Burton, 67, said in an interview four years ago: "Anybody can go out and learn the law. Anyone can read a book. Anyone can interpret the law, understand the law.

"But you can't suddenly bolt on the experience of actually having dealt with the thing, actually implementing it when there is a dawn raid."

Sir Cliff denies the sex assault accusation and has criticised South Yorkshire Police for not warning him about the UK raid, but inviting a BBC news crew to film it.

Detectives have spoken to Sir Cliff's lawyers and they are expected to question him in the next few weeks after examining items removed during the raid.

Police were also interviewing a number of people who have contacted them with information in the past few day.


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Hundreds Of Police Breach Rules On Social Media

By Frazer Maude, Sky News Reporter

Hundreds of police employees have been investigated for breaching social media guidelines at forces across England and Wales.

The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, show a total of 828 cases were reported to police, ranging from social media gaffes to sackable offences involving harassment, and posts of a sexual, racist or homophobic nature.

A total of 14% of the investigations resulted in no further action being taken or the individual having no case to answer, but 9% ended in a resignation, dismissal or retirement.

The police regularly use Twitter, Flickr, Facebook and other social media platforms to connect with the public and to help with crime prevention and detection.

Greater Manchester Police recently posted the 7,000th image on its Flickr account.

Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidelines state officers and police staff should avoid using the internet while off-duty or after having drunk alcohol, due to the potential for their judgement to be impaired.

They also warn of the propensity for criminals to trawl the internet and identify personal information about police employees "with a view to embarrassing, discrediting, harassing, corrupting or blackmailing them or their families for their own benefit".

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, of Greater Manchester Police, is the ACPO lead on social media.

Policemen patrol A total of 548 of those investigated were police officers

"Social media is a key tool for us in having conversations with communities, using it not only to pass information but to receive information about crime and incidents, help people make informed choices," he said.

"All police employees are covered by the code of ethics that was introduced earlier this year.

"So staff must act with integrity, with fairness, with honesty, openness, and regardless of whether they are tweeting as John Smith or Joanna Smith, if they are recognisable as a PC or a member of police staff, then they have to be taking into account the code of ethics."

According to the Press Association, who submitted the FOI request, the investigations included:

:: A PCSO with Devon and Cornwall Police who received a final written warning for posting photos on Facebook of themselves with weapons.

:: A civilian member of police staff who posted a comment on Facebook regarding the actions of Muslims in central London failing to observe a two-minute silence. It was alleged the language used "could be regarded as offensive/inappropriate or likely to cause offence to other persons", police said.

:: A Gwent PC who acted inappropriately while attending a member of the public's home address and asked her to become a friend on Facebook, later sending a message through the site. They received a written warning.

:: Two special constables in Northampton who resigned after they were pictured on Facebook in a "compromising position".

:: A civilian with South Yorkshire Police who was accused of harassing an ex-partner via Facebook. They resigned prior to misconduct proceedings.

Chief Constable Alex Marshall, chief executive of the College of Policing, said: "People working in policing must always be mindful of the high standards that the public expect from us.

"Our code of ethics, which was launched last month, sets out the standards which everyone in the service should strive to uphold whether at work or away from work, online or offline."

Additional details provided by most forces under FOI laws showed 548 of those investigated were police officers, compared with 175 civilian staff and 31 PCSOs.


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Rail Passenger Fares To Rise By 3.5% In 2015

Rail passengers face a hike of 3.5% in train fares in the new year amid anger over the high-cost of train travel.

Campaigners have been protesting at 45 train stations across the country over ticket price increases far outstripping wages rises.

The fare rise is determined by adding 1% to the just-published Retail Prices Index inflation figure for July, which is 2.5%.

But train companies have a "flex" option to add another 2% to some fares, as long as the overall average stays at RPI plus 1%.

It means some fares will increase by about 4.5%.

Kevin Rowan of the TUC said it was bad news for passengers, and claimed the fare hikes were going towards the profits and shareholder dividends of the private train operators.

But Transport Minister Claire Perry defended the rises arguing there had been an "unprecedented investment" in the rail service.

She told Sky News: "The challenge is making sure fares are fair."

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Britons' Swim Ordeal After Tourist Boat Sinks

Written By Unknown on Senin, 18 Agustus 2014 | 16.12

Two Britons have received hospital treatment and two people remain missing after a tourist boat sank while travelling between islands in Indonesia.

The tourists were on a boat travelling from Lombok island to the Komodo Islands when the vessel is believed to have been hit by stormy weather.

A total of 23 people have been rescued - including the two Britons - but the fate of two foreign tourists is not known. 

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office confirmed the two Britons had been hospitalised following the accident on Saturday night. 

"We are in contact with the local authorities about the incident and stand ready to offer consular assistance to any other British nationals who may be involved," the spokeswoman said.

Boat carrying tourists sank in central Indonesia Several boats have been involved in the search for survivors

An Indonesian search and rescue official said the boat was carrying 20 foreigners and five locals in total.

The boat sank at 7pm on Saturday, but the alarm was only raised with rescue teams at 8am on Sunday due to "poor communication",  the official said.

Local fishermen saved a number of people near the island of Sumbawa before the rescue team arrived, he said.

Ten people were rescued first on Sunday, including tourists from  Britain, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany and France.

French survivor Bertrand Homassel described how the boat started sinking after it was damaged in a storm.

Indonesia The journey between Lombok and Komodo can take three days by boat

Speaking from a hotel in Bima on Sumbawa, where the survivors were taken after being rescued, he said: "Six people were in the lifeboat. The others climbed on to the roof of the boat, which had not completely sunk.

"We waited until midday on Saturday. We were five kilometres (three miles) from the coast - there were many big waves separating us from the coast.

"People started to panic ... Everyone took the decision to swim to the closest island, five kilometres away, where there was an erupting volcano."

Mr Homassel said the group swam for six hours before arriving at the island of Sangeang, where they survived the night by drinking their own urine and eating leaves.

They were rescued on Sunday after they attracted the attention of a passing boat.

Rescue official Budiawan, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, said: "They were all found together, some in a lifeboat and some floating with their life jackets on around 60 miles (100km) off Sape.

"Budiawan, head of the search and rescue agency on Lombok island which lies to the west of Sumbawa, said they were now in the town of Sape.

"The search operation is continuing this morning, and involves the military and police."


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Julian Assange 'I Am Leaving Embassy Soon'

Assange: Timeline Of Events

Updated: 7:38am UK, Monday 18 August 2014

Key events in the legal saga of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.

2010

July More than 91,000 documents, most of them secret US military reports about the war in Afghanistan, are released by WikiLeaks.org.

August WikiLeakers founder, Julian Assange, is accused of rape by one woman in Sweden and sexual molestation by another woman. He strongly denies the allegations. An arrest warrant is issued but then withdrawn after insufficient evidence.

September The rape investigation is reopened in Sweden. Mr Assange leaves Sweden for Britain.

October WikiLeaks releases another 400,000 classified military files chronicling the war in Iraq from 2004 to 2009, the largest leak of its kind in US military history.

November A Swedish court orders Mr Assange's detention due to the investigation into allegations against him of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion.

WikiLeaks releases thousands of US diplomatic cables that include candid views of foreign leaders and blunt assessments of security threats.

December Assange is arrested by British police on a European warrant issued by Sweden and held in jail after a judge refuses to grant bail. Bail, set at £200,000, is eventually granted on December 16.

2011

February Magistrates court rules Mr Assange should be extradited to Sweden.

August WikiLeaks releases thousands of previously unpublished US diplomatic cables from its cache of more than 250,000 State Department reports.

October Mr Assange says WikiLeaks will have to stop publishing secret cables and devote itself to fund-raising.

November The High Court rules Assange should be extradited to Sweden over the alleged sex crimes.

2012

June After losing an appeal to the Supreme Court, Mr Assange takes refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London and asks for political asylum to avoid extradition to Sweden.

August Ecuador grants political asylum to Mr Assange.

October Nine people who stood as sureties for Mr Assange's bail before he took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy are ordered to pay a total of £93,500. Pop star Lady Gaga visit the Australian at the embassy.

November Details of his lung chronic lung condition are revealed, with the Ecuadorian ambassador saying he needs constant medical attention.

December Mr Assange appears on balcony of Ecuadorian embassy to reveal WikiLeaks is set to release fresh documents.

2013

April WikiLeaks releases 1.7m US records, including diplomatic and intelligence documents.

June Talks between Ecuador and the UK fail to reach an agreement and Mr Assange must remain in the embassy.

August WikiLeaks founder stars in spoof election video ahead of elections in Australia in September.

October WikiLeaks film The Fifth Estate is released, but largely flops in the US. Mr Assange labels it "propaganda".

2014

January Mr Assange's father John Shipton - chief executive of the WikiLeaks Party in Australia, is part of a delegation which meets Syrian President Bashar al Assad.

July The Australian fails in an attempt to get his arrest warrant in Sweden dismissed.


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Cameron: 'We Are Not Going To War In Iraq'

David Cameron has insisted that Britain will not be getting involved in another war in Iraq.

He spoke out after reports Britain had sent some ground troops to Irbil, to prepare the way for "more than humanitarian aid".

The comments came amid reports on Iraq state TV that Kurdish troops have retaken the strategic Mosul dam from Islamic militants.

Peshmerga fighters on the way to the Mosul dam The UK is considering arming peshmerga troops fighting IS extremists

Peshmerga fighters have been battling Islamic State fighters, with the aid of US airstrikes, after the dam was seized by the militants 10 days ago.

The development came as Mr Cameron chose to appear on television to assure families that British soldiers would not become involved in another Iraq war.

He said: "I want to be absolutely clear to you and to families watching at home, Britain is not going to get involved in another war in Iraq.

US military airstrikes against Islamic State targets near Mosul Dam in Iraq A US airstrike against an IS position near Mosul Dam

"We are not going to be putting boots on the ground. We are not going to be sending in the British Army."

He continued: "Yes, we should use all the assets that we have, our diplomacy, our political relationships, our aid, the military prowess, the expertise that we have to help others - we should use these things as part of a strategy to put pressure on Islamic State and make sure this terrorist organisation is properly addressed and it cannot cause mayhem on our own streets."

David Cameron previously conceded that Britain's role will go beyond humanitarian aid and involve "limited action" to prevent violence spreading to British streets.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon Michael Fallon says Britain's involvement could last 'weeks and months'

But he said: "So we are helping the Kurds, we are working with the Iraqi government to make sure it is more representative of the whole country and, of course, we are working with neighbours and allies to put the maximum amount of pressure on IS and make sure it is properly dealt with.

"We have said that if the Kurds, the peshmerga, want to have arms from us, that is something we would consider favourably.

"Up to now they have not been making that request. Really the sort of weapons they have been using have been more eastern bloc variety, and so they have been supplied by others."

Mr Cameron's comments came after his defence secretary Michael Fallon said the UK's Iraq mission would likely last "weeks and months".

It also emerged that British troops have been back on the ground in Iraq for the first time since 2009.

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire regiment were sent to Irbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, to prepare the way for a rescue mission to help stranded Yazidi people.

It is understood the rescue operation would involve Chinook helicopters.


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