Sex Abuse Victims To Withdraw From Inquiry

Families 'Confident' In Thai Murder Inquiry

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 06 Desember 2014 | 16.12

The families of two young Britons murdered in Thailand say they are "confident" in the work being carried out to solve the "atrocious crimes".

Students David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, were found dead on a beach on the holiday island of Ko Tao in September.

Two Burmese bar workers are accused of the murders, but claim they were tortured by the Thai police to secure a confession.

Amnesty International has called for an investigation into the allegations.

The families of Mr Miller and Ms Witheridge have issued statements thanking Metropolitan Police detectives for reviewing the case, and calling for the investigation to be allowed to take its course.

Ms Witheridge's family said: "We would like to thank the officers who travelled to Thailand to review the case and the Royal Thai Police for facilitating their visit."

They added: "We would like to stress that as a family we are confident in the work that has been carried out into these atrocious crimes and want to remind both press and public that they do not have the full facts to report and make comment on at this stage.

"Our thoughts, as always, are with the Miller family. Together we stand united and focused on seeing a fair and transparent trial process to bring about justice for our beautiful children."

Mr Miller's family said: "We would like to express our relief that progress is being made in Thailand and this case is finally coming to court.

"We would like to reiterate our gratitude to the UK Metropolitan Police, who received the co-operation of the Royal Thai Police in undertaking an independent review into the investigation."

And while "support for the Myanmar suspects has been strong and vocal" they urged the public not to "jump to conclusions" and said the "suspects have a difficult case to answer".

They added: "The evidence against them appears to be powerful and convincing. They must respond to these charges, and their arguments must be considered with the same scrutiny as those of the prosecution.

"Please remember that this is above all a story of two wonderful young people, David and Hannah, killed in the prime of their lives in a senseless and brutal way."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Britain Beefs Up Military Might In Bahrain

Britain is to build a new military base in Bahrain in a landmark deal which will enable the UK send more and larger warships to bolster security in the Gulf, amid the growing threat from Islamic State.

The move signals a marked expansion of the Royal Navy presence in the region.

The UK already has four minehunters permanently based at the Mina Salman Port, but the plans will see the existing facilities improved and extended.

These will provide a forward operating base, with a place to plan, store equipment for naval operations, and accommodate personnel.

While the deal is understood to have been in the pipeline for around two years, the rapid gains made by the IS extremist group and resulting instability, underlines its strategic importance.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond signed the agreement with Bahrain's foreign minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed al Khalifa.

Mr Hammond said: "This will guarantee the presence of the Royal Navy in Bahrain well into the future.

"The expansion of Britain's footprint builds upon our 30-year track record of Gulf patrols and is just one example of our growing partnership with Gulf partners to tackle shared strategic and regional threats."

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "This new base is a permanent expansion of the Royal Navy's footprint and will enable Britain to send more and larger ships to reinforce stability in the Gulf.

"We will now be based again in the Gulf for the long term."

Sheikh Khalid said: "It reaffirms our joint determination to maintain regional security and stability in the face of challenging circumstances, and gives further strength to our multifaceted partnership.

"Bahrain looks forward to the early implementation of today's arrangement and to continuing to work with the UK and other partners to address threats to regional security."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stag Do Disappearance: Hunt For British Man

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent

The family and friends of a British man who went missing on a stag weekend in Prague have promised to keep searching the streets of the Czech capital until they get news "good or bad".

Builder Karl Law, 35, vanished after getting separated from his friends on a pub crawl three weeks ago.

There have been several potential sightings of him, but none confirmed and he has not contacted anyone who knows him.

His brother Craig Law, 30, said: "No news is good news, so we are thinking positively. We don't want to think of the worst and believe that Karl is alive and out there somewhere.

"Some of us will stay here for as long as it takes to get the answer to what has happened to Karl, good or bad."

A small rotating group of family and friends from Fareham, Hampshire, are taking turns to fly to Prague, travelling around the city and putting up thousands of posters with Karl's photograph and numbers to call for anyone who spots him.

Karl's employer is still paying some of his wages and friends are rallying round to fund the appeal campaign.

The last person to see Karl was his cousin Steve Stock, wandering near Maxim's bar close to the centre of Prague's lively old town.

"We had split into two groups and I thought he was going off to another club or to get something to eat. Of course, we had all been drinking, but it was our second night and everybody seemed fine."

Sky News joined Karl's family and friends as they travelled the length of one metro line, hopping on and off at each station to stick up posters.

The next day they handed out more appeal notices among tourists in the packed Christmas market.

They also visited several homeless people living in makeshift shelters along the banks of the Vltava River.

Craig said: "It could be he has had an accident or banged his head somewhere and got disorientated. He could be confused and be sleeping rough."

The group has also been making regular checks at hospitals and homeless shelters.

On the night he disappeared Karl did not have his mobile phone or passport with him.

The searchers believe he is still in Prague, a feeling fuelled by possible sightings of him in a cafe, getting off a number 14 tram, or even walking close to Maxim's.

Prague police said they were doing all they could to find him, but released a statement suggesting his family had not disclosed that he had "consumed both alcohol and narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances extensively during the few days before he disappeared".

Anyone who sees Karl Law or knows his whereabouts is urged to call police or his family on +44 7584 035036 or +44 7807 759981.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sex Abuse Victims To Withdraw From Inquiry

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 05 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Sex Abuse Victims To Withdraw From Inquiry

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Victims of alleged historical sex abuse say they are going to pull out of an inquiry led by the Home Office, Sky News has learnt.

The victims have sent a letter to Home Secretary Theresa May saying they have lost confidence in the investigation.

The letter states: "As survivors and associated professionals, we were very much hoping to take up the invitations to engage with your Ministerial Officers to discuss the Child Sex Abuse Inquiry, but we regret to say we have to decline.

"We, alongside many survivors, have made numerous representations to you regarding our view that the inquiry as it stands is not fit for purpose."

The 24 signatories said in the letter they had no option but to end their engagement with the inquiry until Mrs May scraps the current panel and replaces it "on a transparent basis".

1/12

Gallery: Timeline Of Inquiry Into Westminster Abuse Claims

1 July - Leon Brittan called on to say what he knew about paedophile allegations passed to him in 1980s

7 July - Theresa May announces inquiry into how child sex abuse claims were investigated

]]>

8 July - Baroness Butler-Sloss "honoured" at appointment to chair the inquiry

]]>

9 July - Butler-Sloss called on to quit because brother Sir Michael Havers was attorney general in 1980s. 14 July - She stands down saying she is "not the right person" for the job

]]>

5 September - Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf named new head of inquiry

]]>

They also want Mrs May to declare a statutory inquiry and extend the cut-off date to 1945.

Mrs May told Sky News she was aware of the letter and reiterated that failings of parts of government and institutions must be investigated.

"The issues in the letter have been spoken about before," she said.

"But I am clear we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to the bottom of this issue."

The inquiry into historical child sex abuse allegations has suffered a series of setbacks and controversies in recent months.

The first chair of the inquiry, Lady Butler-Sloss, was forced to step down due to her late brother, Lord Havers, being an attorney general during much of the period under review.

City lawyer Fiona Woolf was then appointed in September to chair the panel, but soon faced criticism over her social links to former home secretary Lord Brittan and his wife.

Her connection with Lord Brittan came under scrutiny as he is likely to be called to give evidence to the inquiry about his handling of child abuse allegations.

He denies failing to act on a dossier of paedophilia allegations he received while in office in the 1980s.

In late October, Mrs Woolf announced that she would resign from the role after victims said they did not have confidence in her.

Sky's Jason Farrell said the victims gave three key reasons in their letter to Mrs May explaining why they no longer wished to engage with the inquiry.

"They say the terms of reference go well beyond the original idea for the inquiry, namely to investigate the government and the establishment over cover-ups of paedophiles in their ranks," he said.

"Secondly, they say that whilst the two heads of the inquiry have stood down, they also have issues around the people on the panel itself.

"The third thing that they are concerned about is that the scope for this only goes back to 1970. They feel that it should go back further."

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 04 Desember 2014 | 16.12

George Osborne says a fairer Stamp Duty system is replacing current "badly designed" rules – he claims 98% of buyers will pay less. But how much better off could you be if you moved house?

:: What Is Stamp Duty?

Officially called Stamp Duty Land Tax, it has to be paid on most purchases of houses, flats and other land and buildings.

:: How Did The Old System Work?

Buyers would simply pay a fixed percentage on the purchase price based on the brackets below.

- Up To £125,000 – 0%

- £125,000 - £250,000 – 1%

- £250,000 - £500,000 – 3%

- £500,000 to £1m – 4%

- £1m to £2m – 5%

- £2m or more – 7%

:: Was It Unfair To Buyers?

Some criticised this "cliff edge" system.

For instance, if someone was buying a house for £250,000 they would pay 1% (£2,490) on the whole value.

But, if they were perhaps tempted by a slightly more expensive house for £250,001, then the 3% rate would kick in.

They would be have to pay £7,530 - more than £5,000 more.

:: How Does The New System Differ?

The "cliff edge" system has been scrapped.

Buyers will no longer be hit with sudden jumps in Stamp Duty when their house edges into a new price bracket.

It will be far more gradual, with buyers taxed in 'chunks'.

:: This Is How It Works…

The first £125,000 of a property's value is tax free.

The chunk between £125,000 and £250,000 is taxed at 2%.

And then 5% tax is due on any value between £250,000 and £925,000.

Buyers must pay 10% on the chunk between £925,000 and £1.5m.

Any value above £1.5m is taxed at 12%.

:: Will The New System Really Save Me Money?

The Chancellor says if you are buying a property that is under £937,000 you will pay less

Any more than that then you're a loser - and will have to pay more.

:: How Much Cash Could I Save?

Property value:

- Up To £125,000 – No change: £0 to pay.

- £185,000 – Old system - £1,850; New system - £1,200. Saving = £650

- £275,000 – Old system - £8,250; New system - £3,750. Saving = £4,500

- £510,000 – Old system - £20,400; New system - £15,500. Saving =£4,900

- £2.1m – Old system - £147,500; New system - £165,750. Loss = £18,750

Try other values using the Government's Stamp Duty Calculator

:: When Do The Changes Come In?

Midnight on Wednesday, 3 December 2014.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vicar And Daughter Held In Baby Murder Probe

A vicar, along with his wife and daughter, are being questioned by police over the suspicious death of a baby boy.

Rev Jim Percival was arrested, together with his 28-year-old daughter, Ruth, on suspicion of murder, conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child and sexual offences.

Susan, his wife, only faces questions about the alleged concealment.

Officers have been granted an additional 30 hours to talk to them after they were held on Tuesday in Freckleton, Lancashire, where Rev Percival is the vicar of Holy Trinity CE Church.

Officers had been called to a property - thought to be the vicarage - on 25 November, in response to reports that a woman had suffered a stillbirth.

In a statement, Lancashire Constabulary said: "When police attended, the body of a newly born baby boy was discovered at the address and an investigation was launched.

"The baby's mother, a 28-year-old woman, was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where she was treated and later released.

"Following numerous inquiries, the death of the baby boy is now being treated as suspicious. A post-mortem examination has been carried out and the cause of death is currently inconclusive."

One of their neighbours said: "They are a quiet family. I didn't even know the daughter was pregnant."

The Diocese of Blackburn has confirmed it "is aware of the situation regarding Rev Jim Percival and his family" and is working "closely" with police.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Osborne Defends Plans Amid Fears Over Cuts

George Osborne has defended his economic plans after criticism that he is set to plunge Britain into a period of austerity not seen since the 1930s.

The Chancellor grabbed headlines with the historic stamp duty reforms he announced, but cuts of £60bn to non-protected areas like police, local government and justice will be required in the coming years if he is to meet his targets, the government spending watchdog said.

He told Sky News his plan to clear the deficit by 2020 was "balanced".

Mr Osborne said: "We're taking a number of years because I think that's the right pace. The path we're on has given Britain not just the fastest growing economy in the world, but it means...you've got real world evidence that we've got the right long-term plan."

The stamp duty changes that could cut £4,500 off the cost of an average home have come into force - a move welcomed by thousands of buyers.

Detailed verdicts from leading financial experts will be delivered later on all the contents of George Osborne's Autumn Statement.

But the Chancellor's shake-up of stamp duty was the most eye-catching policy.

He has scrapped the "slab rate" of stamp duty - which means huge increases in tax when house values enter a new band.

In future, he said, the tax would apply progressively, like income tax.

The new rates will see house-buyers pay 0% on the first £125,000 then 2% on the portion up to £250,000, 5% up to £925,000, 10% up to £1.5m and 12% on anything above that.

First-time buyer Martin Gaine, from west London, said the change could save him as much as £4,000 on his prospective purchase.

"It's a lovely surprise because it wasn't trailed in any of the newspapers," he told Sky News as he viewed a two-bedroom flat in Chiswick, on the market for £600,000.

"Stamp duty is a big outlay and it's an up-front cost that you don't get back so this is brilliant news. Every little bit helps at the moment, so to save that money will be fantastic for me."

Mr Osborne told the Commons: "It is a fair, workable, lasting reform to the taxation of housing."

The changes will cost the Treasury "nearly £400m" over the next four months, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

The Chancellor also announced a plan to cut the cost of air travel for millions of families by abolishing air passenger duty for children under the age of 16 over the next two years.

On the controversial issue of the deficit, Mr Osborne was cheered by his own MPs and jeered by the opposition as he revealed better-than-expected figures.

1/5

Gallery: Stamp Duty: How Much Will You Save?

Homes bought for under £125,000, such as these terraced houses, are unchanged by the new rules and buyers still do not have to pay any Stamp Duty

Someone choosing a typical three-bedroom semi-detached costing £185,000 would pay £1,200 instead of £1,850 under the old rules - a £650 saving

]]>

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Big Tobacco Firms Offer 'Misleading Evidence'

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 03 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Most studies that show the negative impact plain cigarette packets would have on the economy are funded by "big tobacco" firms, according to a damning report.

Such companies have warned standardised packaging would fuel a black market in cigarettes – citing research that echoes their concerns.

But the University of Bath claims more than 50% of such evidence comes from reports commissioned by the industry itself – or from third parties with financial connections to it.

The Tobacco Control Research Group, funded by Cancer Research UK, also found 66% of the industry's claims were just opinions – and that of the 51 MPs opposed to plain packaging, seven of them had accepted hospitality from the sector.

George Butterworth, from Cancer Research UK, said: "By failing to disclose financial links to misleading evidence, this is lobbying at its worst.

"For years, misinformation has been their currency, but as the success of plain, standardised packaging in Australia becomes clear – now with record low smoking rates – 'big tobacco' is looking spent.

"Independent evidence consistently demonstrates the role that standardised packaging can play in protecting children from a deadly addiction.

"Now, the UK Government must treat the tobacco industry's spin with the contempt it deserves – and introduce regulations without delay."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Osborne To Admit Missing Borrowing Target

By Darren McCaffrey, Sky Political Reporter

Around a billion pounds of investment for small and medium sized businesses, relief on petrol prices and changes to business rates to help the High Street are among measures to be announced later in the Autumn Statement.

Plans to make stamp duty more progressive, easing the bill for people buying at the bottom end of the market but with possible heavier charges on more expensive homes, could also be unveiled by George Osborne later in what has been described as the "Government's last big economic event".

The Chancellor will say: "Our long-term economic plan is working. I say: we stay the course. We stay the course to prosperity.

"We support people who want to work hard and get on. And it is for their sakes that we resolve to stay on course to prosperity."

But Labour will accuse him of breaking his promises on the economy, claiming his missed pledge to balance the books and policies favouring the rich have left working people £1,600-a-year worse off under the Coalition.

The Treasury and the Bank of England have agreed to extend the Funding For Lending (FLS) scheme by another year to January 2016 - underwriting loans specifically for smaller firms.

Mr Osborne is also allocating an extra £400m to expand the state-owned British Business Bank's venture capital programme.

And it will be handed funding to guarantee up to £500m of new lending in 2015-16.

The Chancellor is also expected to scrap the Fair Fuel Stabiliser, which would have seen petrol prices increase by 1p next March.

Air Passenger Duty on children's flights is also due to be abolished, which could reduce the cost of long haul flights by hundreds of pounds for families.

And there could be help for the High Street, with a review of business rates and how it is calculated due to be completed by early 2016. Rising rates have in part been blamed for hitting traditional town centre shops.

1/15

Gallery: See How The UK's Economy Is Doing

]]>

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Search For Missing Mother And Baby

Police are urgently hunting for a mother and her newborn baby daughter who have gone missing from a maternity hospital.

Charlotte Bevan left Bristol Maternity Hospital between 8.30pm and 9pm last night with her four-day-old baby girl, Zarnee Teanna.

The 30-year-old did not have a coat or shoes, and is believed to have been wearing hospital slippers.

Her baby was wrapped only in blankets.

A friend has described her disappearance as "out of character". Writing on Avon and Somerset Police's Facebook page, Isaac Jack McCardle described searching for them night.

"I know her and her partner. This is out of character," he wrote.

"I was out on the streets with a friend for over three hours and searched almost every road, park, alleyway etc in the area as well as high streets and found nothing."

He added: "I really hope they are both safe and are all reunited soon. I do feel out of respect people should stop jumping to conclusions. They are a happy couple."

Ms Bevan is described as white, around 5ft 8in tall and of average build with dark wavy hair.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman has appealed for anyone who sees them to call 999 immediately.

"We are concerned for both Charlotte's welfare and that of her baby, and are urging Charlotte to let us know that she and her baby are alright," the spokesman said.

"Officers have been searching the city centre throughout the night and appeals have been put out to bus drivers and taxi drivers and those travelling into work on early shifts this morning to lookout for Charlotte and her daughter."

It is believed Ms Bevan was wearing a long black top and black trousers when she disappeared from the hospital on Southwell Street.

The spokesman added Ms Bevan "may appear confused and worried".

"Her baby is inappropriately wrapped for the cold weather in a blue and white striped and coloured blankets," he said.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Balotelli Apologises Over 'Anti-Semitic' Pic

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 02 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Liverpool and Italy player Mario Balotelli has apologised after posting a picture online which was labelled racist and anti-Semitic.

Quickly deleted from the player's Instagram page, the internet meme shows Nintendo character Super Mario and contains the words "jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew".

As criticism mounted, Balotelli wrote on his Twitter page: "My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please."

But he later tweeted an apology, saying: "I apologise if I've offended anyone.

"The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context may have the opposite effect. Not all Mexicans have moustaches, not all black people jump high and not all Jewish people love money."

A spokesman for Liverpool said: "We are aware of the posting which has since been promptly deleted by the player.

"We will be speaking to the player about the issue."

It is the latest controversial incident involving the 24-year-old and the image prompted several accusations of racism on social media.

One Twitter user, @TomEllis98, said in response to the post: "Does Balotelli realise what he put on Instagram is racist?"

Another, @gedbrand10, wrote: "Mario Balotelli faces investigation by the FA for an anti-Semitic post on Instagram earlier today. He'll never, ever learn."

1/11

Gallery: The Italian Striker's Eventful Career

August 2010: Signs for Manchester City for €22m from Italian giants Inter Milan

November 2010: Scores first Premier League goals in 2-0 win at West Brom - but is then sent off for violent conduct

]]>

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Garden City To Be Built In Bicester

A new garden city will be built in Oxfordshire under Coalition plans to deal with a housing shortage.

The new town, which would have up to 13,000 homes, would be built near Bicester and would include a £44m capital investment from the Government for roads including a new junction on the M40.

The plans will be outlined in the National Infrastructure Plan set to be published on Wednesday ahead of the Autumn Statement, alongside a range of other housing measures.

A Government loan would be provided for the development of amenities including green transport.

Ebbsfleet in Kent was announced earlier this year as the location for the first modern garden city.

Bicester has also expressed an interest and could receive a new railway station as part of the proposals announced by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Mr Clegg told the Daily Telegraph: "The Liberal Democrats have long argued that garden cities are an idea whose time has come again.

"I am delighted that Bicester can now be confirmed as a pioneer in what I hope will be another wave of garden cities in this country.

"Bicester will get help from the Government with both significant capital investment and in helping developers build the amenities that are required to be a true garden town."

Under the proposals, a series of new communities with green spaces, sustainable transport and spacious housing will be built.

Mr Clegg has previously promised at least 10 would be created if the Liberal Democrats are part of the next Government.

:: Watch Sky News for the Chancellor's Autumn Statement live on Wednesday, 3 December, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heroin Misery Of The Trainspotting Generation

By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent

The number of adults seeking treatment for heroin and crack cocaine addiction in England has more than doubled in 10 years, new figures have revealed.

While the total number of heroin and crack cocaine addicts has fallen below 300,000 for the first time since estimates began, there is a generation still hooked - the so-called Trainspotting Generation.

The disaffected, heroin-addicted young people immortalised in Irvine Welsh's bestselling novel are getting older.

More than a third of the total population of adults in treatment centres are aged 40 or over, according to Public Health England.

Many started using heroin in the epidemics of the 1980s and 1990s when good-quality, cheap opiate flooded the inner cities.

But as they enter old age there are warnings that dwindling health and dependence on heroin could place an increased burden on the National Health Service.

Louise Ford, deputy manager at the Smithfield Detox Centre in Manchester, told Sky News: "For many people of this age group there is a sense of 'now or never' in finally getting the treatment they need.

"For the over-40s it could be redundancy, bereavement or failing health that finally prompts them to come in for help. The treatment is not easy and many relapse."

For those who have not sought treatment, life is a cycle of "scoring" heroin and finding the money to pay for it.

Homeless Paul, 42, has been taking heroin since he was 17 years old.

His partner Jill, 39, was introduced to the drug at the age of 14. They take heroin in the back streets of Manchester's city centre.

He said: "I had a good life, what you'd call an average life, a car, a flat. I got laid off last year. I had never been out of work before.

"Now I wake up, go and score, go and take it, go and find a pitch and start raising money again to score again and that goes on and on.

"If I don't get help now I'll still be doing this into my 50s and 60s and I don't want that. Heroin just makes you feel bad when you don't have it. It doesn't make you feel good anymore."

But there is hope in the form of recovered addicts like Steve Cundell, who first dabbled in heroin so that he could come down from ecstasy fuelled raves in the 1980s.

He went from experimenting to dealing in a matter of weeks.

He said: "I thought it wouldn't grip me but it did and very, very fast.

"I decided the best way to get my supply was to start dealing in it. My every waking hour was consumed by heroin.

"It used to play on my mind so much that I was getting older and older and I had not achieved anything - that I was going to wake up one day 65 or 70 years old still on heroin."

Mr Cundell is now a peer mentor on a rehabilitation course run by Turning Point and tries to help others.

He added: "I like to think I have something to give back and it helps my recovery - because I'm not out of the woods yet."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pair Charged Over Primary School Knife Attack

Written By Unknown on Senin, 01 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Two people have been charged with assault after a father of six was stabbed outside a busy primary school.

Barry Parkes and Natalie Lawton will appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court today over their alleged attack, which took place as parents waited to pick up their children on Friday afternoon.

Steven Higginson, 33, was knifed in the chest and side. Bloodied, he staggered into North Walkden Primary School in Greater Manchester to seek help.

The victim has since been discharged from hospital.

Mr Parkes, a 42-year-old from Salford, has been charged with wounding with intent. Ms Lawton, 30, faces a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cyber Monday: Retailers Brace For Online Surge

Retailers are preparing for another half-a-billion-pound online shopping surge on Cyber Monday today.

The event is the online-only follow-up to Black Friday, which saw bargain hunters spend £1.6bn across the high street and internet.

Card payment firm Visa said £600m of the £1.6bn raked in was spent on the internet.

Amazon, Currys and Tesco are among the big players lining up new deals and hoping their websites hold up to the virtual stampede.

Electronics retailer ao.com predicts today will be its best ever day of sales, with televisions and small kitchen appliances expected to be the best performing categories, and is offering a host of fresh deals.

Amazon.co.uk is planning to release hundreds of limited "lightning deals" which offer discounts for a specific period, with new offers coming online every 10 minutes.

Some sites, such as Currys, Argos and Game, crashed under the demand on Friday - the biggest ever online shopping day in the UK, according to Visa.

Visa Europe chief Kevin Jenkins said: "Compared to Black Friday last year online spend on Visa cards increased more than 30% and high street spend by about 20%.

"Heading into Cyber Monday we're likely to see a further £500m spent online, peaking in the early evening as workers return home and log on."

But security experts have warned consumers to be wary of cyber crime and take basic precautions as they shop.

Giovanni Ruberto, online security expert at Intel Security, said: "Cyber Monday is set to be the biggest online shopping day this year, and of course the bad guys know this.

"Whilst consumers are logging on from their laptop or smartphone to grab a bargain, you can bet cybercriminals will be doing all they can to trick unwitting consumers to hand over credit card information and personal details."

Recent years have seen online shopping peak on the first Monday in December.

It is thought to be down to many people's last payday before Christmas falling on the previous Friday and a weekend spent browsing the shops before buying online.

However, some retailers have been criticised for whipping people into a shopping frenzy and not having proper security at Black Friday events.

Shoppers were filmed arguing and fighting each other for cut price televisions, with witnesses saying some bargain hunters behaved "like animals".

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey on Sunday called the supermarkets "irresponsible" and said the event "serves no useful purpose".

Black Friday was introduced in America on the day after Thanksgiving and is thought to have been given its name because brisk business was said to have helped retailers back into profit - into the black.

The event was introduced to this country by Amazon in 2010.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Harry To Reveal Secret To Beat Stigma Of HIV

Prince Harry will join with other celebrities as he bares secrets on video to support a campaign for World AIDS Day.

The 30-year-old will share some of his worst fears and guilty pleasures as part of the #FeelNoShame campaign for the Sentebale charity he co-founded, which aims to raise awareness of the stigma and shame which prevents people with HIV from seeking support.

Celebrities including singers Nicole Scherzinger and Paloma Faith and former boxer Ricky Hatton are also taking part.

Prince Harry launched the campaign from the microsite FeelNoShame.Today and will release a video later this afternoon sharing his own secret.

He said: "Globally, HIV is the second highest cause of death amongst those aged between 10-19 years old, and it is the number one cause of death across Africa.

"One tragic issue in particular is the shame and stigma linked to HIV.

"This causes thousands of children to needlessly die each year because they're keeping their illness a secret and not getting the medical attention they need.

"Together, we can tackle the stigma surrounding HIV and give the young people carrying it the childhood they deserve. The childhood so many of us take for granted."

Cathy Ferrier, chief executive of Sentebale, said: "Too many children are not receiving the treatment and care they so desperately need due to the stigma attached to HIV.

"Today we will celebrate the sharing of secrets with #FeelNoShame, to help spread the word that eradicating the stigma surrounding HIV will help save the lives of many HIV-positive children."

Prince Harry co-founded Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. The charity provides accommodation, food, access to medication and education for children in Lesotho - preventing the virus from spreading - as well as support to help them tackle the stigma of HIV.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gagal Coba

Mengenai Saya

Popular Posts Today

Families 'Confident' In Thai Murder Inquiry

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 06 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Britain Beefs Up Military Might In Bahrain

Stag Do Disappearance: Hunt For British Man

Sex Abuse Victims To Withdraw From Inquiry

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 05 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Top Stories

Top Stories

Police Identify Mum Of Baby Found In Bin

Rail Travellers Face 2.2% New Year Price Hike

Stamp Duty Changes: What You Need To Know

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 04 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Vicar And Daughter Held In Baby Murder Probe

Osborne Defends Plans Amid Fears Over Cuts

Big Tobacco Firms Offer 'Misleading Evidence'

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 03 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Osborne To Admit Missing Borrowing Target

Search For Missing Mother And Baby

Balotelli Apologises Over 'Anti-Semitic' Pic

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 02 Desember 2014 | 16.12

New Garden City To Be Built In Bicester

Heroin Misery Of The Trainspotting Generation

Pair Charged Over Primary School Knife Attack

Written By Unknown on Senin, 01 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Cyber Monday: Retailers Brace For Online Surge

Harry To Reveal Secret To Beat Stigma Of HIV

Links

Arsip Blog