Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 20 Desember 2014 | 16.12
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an off-duty police constable was beaten to death in Liverpool.
Neil Doyle was attacked by a group of men during a Christmas night out with colleagues from Merseyside Police.
The 36-year-old got married in July and was due to go on honeymoon next month.
Two other off-duty officers suffered facial injuries in the attack, which took place near the Aloha nightclub in Colquitt Street at around 3.15am on Friday.
Officers are investigating the possibility they were targeted because of their jobs.
The 28-year-old suspect walked into a police station on Friday evening and is being interviewed by detectives.
Police at the scene of the killing in Liverpool
Mr Doyle, who joined the force in May 2004, was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, but died a short time later.
A post-mortem examination concluded he died from fatal bleeding around the brain, consistent with an assault.
Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy described the investigation as being at a "very early stage".
He said: "On behalf of everybody connected with Merseyside Police I extend our heartfelt and sincere condolences to his wife Sarah and the rest of his family.
"Constable Doyle was enjoying a Christmas night out with his work colleagues.
"At around 3.15am Neil left the Peacock bar and walked with two colleagues along Colquitt Street in the city centre.
"The three officers were subjected to an apparently unprovoked and vicious attack by a group of males."
Mr Doyle had received a commendation for his actions in arresting three men after a violent robbery.
Peter Singleton, chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, said the police community was "devastated" by his killing.
"He exemplified the British bobby. He was a solid, good, hard-working, honest copper," he said.
The two other officers required hospital treatment. One suffered a fractured cheekbone.
Flood victims in Somerset say they are facing insurance quotes of tens of thousands of pounds to protect their homes from future flooding.
Sky News has seen one renewal quote of almost £100,000 for one year. That falls to just under £500 for the year if flood cover is removed.
The owners did not want to speak on camera but told Sky their property in Moorland would only cost around £120,000 to rebuild from scratch.
Neighbour Sally Vize has been told she won't be able to move back into her home until March - 13 months after the winter storms caused £120,000 worth of damage.
Sally Vize's home suffered £120,000 worth of damage
She is due to renew her insurance in the next few months, but is extremely concerned she won't be able to afford the quote.
"I think someone said £12,000 if they want to insure for floods again, who can afford that? It's ridiculous, and I think it's morally wrong," she said.
Video:Home Ruined By Floods
One in six homes in England are at risk of flooding and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimates between 300,000 and 500,000 UK households could struggle to obtain affordably priced flood insurance.
From next summer, in conjunction with the Government, the ABI is hoping to launch its Flood Re scheme which will allow insurers to pass the flood risk element of a home insurance policy into a fund that will pay any subsequent flood claim.
Mark Shepherd, from the ABI, explained: "In certain parts of the country this is becoming a much bigger problem and that's why we are working with the Government to introduce Flood Re, which in the future will ensure those homes at the highest flood risk will still be able to get affordable flood insurance."
Video:Flood Emergency Aid Box
Since the flooding began last Christmas, a group called the Somerset Emergency Volunteers have been helping those in need of immediate help.
They have filled a warehouse with donations including food, clothes, furniture and household goods to allow people to begin replacing what they have lost.
They are also providing 400 homes with emergency boxes and sandbags so they are prepared for any repeat.
Video:Flood Aid Supplies Stockpiled
"Moorland and Fordgate were only given six sandbags by the council when it was flooded - three for the front door, three for the back," said assistant operations manager Sadie Forster.
"We're giving them 36 reusable sandbags."
The Environment Agency has now dredged 8km of river in Somerset, with the Government promising to spend £4.2m on flood defences in the county.
A teenage attempted murder suspect who was mistakenly released from jail has been recaptured by police.
Jordan Francois, 18, was on remand from Wandsworth Prison in southwest London.
A £10,000 reward was being offered by the Metropolitan Police for information which led to his arrest. Scotland Yard had said he was "unlawfully at large".
Francois was known to have ties to north London, and was arrested in Edmonton at 5.35am on Saturday morning.
The Prison Service has now confirmed it will be "formally investigating" the incident.
A spokesman added: "Releases in error are a very rare but regrettable occurrence. The number of incidents have fallen significantly in recent years with figures down by a quarter compared to 2009/10 but every incident is taken extremely seriously and we are not complacent."
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 19 Desember 2014 | 16.12
CCTV footage of a shoot-out between a criminal and a policeman on a north London street has been released.
Gunman Sedat Meric is seen in the video firing three shots into West Green Pool Bar, in Haringey, where officers from the National Crime Agency were conducting surveillance.
One officer appeared from behind a car, prompting Meric to turn and fire in their direction.
He is then seen running off while shooting eight times at the pursuing officer, who is shown returning fire.
Realising he had run out of ammunition, Meric discarded his firearm on the pavement and subsequently gave himself up to police. No one was injured.
Meric, aged 25, was found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at the Old Bailey, over the shoot-out in May.
His 22-year-old accomplice, Oktay Ayanoglu, was convicted of the same offence, although both men were acquitted of attempted murder.
DI Shaun Fitzgerald, from the Trident Gang Command, said: "Meric went out that evening intent on causing fear and intimidation and with no regard for who may have got caught up in the crossfire.
"Shooting at officers of the law highlights his complete disregard. I commend the officers from the National Crime Agency for their bravery in the face of an armed man.
"It is sheer luck that no one was injured as a result of this incident and it highlights the inherent dangers present when carrying a gun."
Meric and Ayanoglu will be sentenced on 9 January.
Women could be allowed to fight on the front line from 2016 the Government has announced.
The Defence Secretary has signed off a major review that concluded females could serve in a combat role if they achieved the rigorous physical standards required.
A senior defence source has described it as a "significant step-forward".
The final decision will be made after an 18 month physiological exam. This will look at women's basic physical ability to cope in harsh environments on lengthy deployments of six months or more.
"There is a real desire among Ministers and the military to open up ground combat roles to women," a Whitehall source told Sky News.
Video:Should Women Be On The Front Line?
"This detailed review is a big step forward in the process, however it is clear further work needs to be done before a final decision is taken.
"The wellbeing of all of our personnel is of the utmost importance, but there is genuine hope this will be a reality come 2016."
Women already serve on the front line in a variety of roles: medics, intelligence officers, fighter pilots, and on submarines.
This will open the way for them to join infantry regiments, tanks units and The Royal Marines.
Some allies, the United States, Canada and Australia, already allow women to serve on the front line.
The six-month review was ordered by the last Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond. It has been on the desk of his successor Michael Fallon for a few weeks.
It was overseen by the Head of the Army, General Nicholas Carter.
Amongst many things, the review examined the possible consequences of male soldiers serving in close quarters with female colleagues including what effect this might have on the morale of a fighting unit.
It also looked at whether women are more prone to injury.
The review, whilst not conclusive, has removed doubts within the MoD.
Tumbling oil prices are resulting in lower petrol costs, but there are warnings the good news for drivers may not last.
With prices falling by more than 40% since June's high of $111 a barrel, there have been an increasing number of reports suggesting petrol prices across the UK could soon fall below £1 per litre - the lowest level since the end of May 2009.
Experts at the RAC believe petrol could fall to 99p a litre next year, while economists at Goldman Sachs also believe petrol could fall close to £1.
But AA president Edmund King insists this possibility remains "remote".
He said: "A 6.6p-a-litre drop in the price of petrol releases a potential £3m-a-day switch of consumer spending from fuel forecourts to other businesses.
Video:What's Causing Falling Oil Prices?
"It will also lower the cost of transporting goods, hopefully also to be passed on to customers."
Mr King went on: "However, the parallels with the 2008 crash, albeit that was a market in freefall while this one has been engineered by OPEC and could be stopped any time, carry a warning from the ghost of Christmas past.
"In 2009, a new year brought a new assessment of the market and pump prices started to rise again on January 5."
Analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also suggests petrol prices are unlikely to fall below £1-a-litre in the coming months.
Video:How Do Oil Traders View The Future?
But while the ONS said the price consumers pay at the pumps for petrol and diesel were "strongly related to the price of crude oil", it highlighted that price changes were "less volatile and the effect of changes in crude oil prices are delayed".
Ian Taylor, chief executive and president of Vitol, the world's largest oil trading company, told Sky News' Ian King Live that although the future was difficult to predict he believes the market "will steady up".
He said: "As you know oil traders are pretty useless at predicting price, but we sort of feel that inevitably at these price levels that several areas of the world will begin to cut back on capex (capital expenditure) and we'll see some reductions in supply and a big transfer of income to the consumers - hopefully lower petrol prices in the UK etc - and that will increase demand.
"We feel at the current prices and with Brent at $60 a barrel we should begin to see some stability, but oil has been a lot lower than this and a lot higher so it's difficult to predict just at this moment - but I do begin to believe the market will begin to steady up."
Video:Oil Prices - Winners And Losers
He added: "It's a pretty big tax cut for every single consumer in the world and it's a huge transfer of income from oil producers to world consumers. It's pretty positive for the UK, Europe and other big consuming countries around the globe."
Petrol pump prices have plunged in the last month with the mid-November to mid-December fall the third biggest in 25 years, according to the AA.
The motoring group said that between mid-November and mid-December UK average petrol prices fell 6.6p to 116.32p a litre.
Only the October-November 2008 fall of 11.5p a litre and the August-September 2006 dip of 7.9p have been greater than the most recent decline.
Video:Oil Chief's Petrol Price Prediction
The AA also said that average diesel prices have fallen 5.27p a litre to 122.16p over the mid-November to mid-December 2014 period.
And the fall does not include the very latest 2p-a-litre petrol reduction by the four biggest supermarkets which took effect on Wednesday.
Currently, south west England has the cheapest petrol, at an average of 116.1p a litre, while East Anglia has the dearest, at 117.1p.
The cheapest diesel is to be found in Northern Ireland, at 121.8p a litre, with the most-expensive in Scotland, at 122.7p a litre.
Written By Unknown on Kamis, 18 Desember 2014 | 16.12
A £5bn project to guarantee mobile phone voice and text coverage to 90% of the UK geographical area by 2017 will go ahead.
The deal means the four mobile networks - EE, O2, Three and Vodafone - have all agreed to tackle poor coverage in so-called partial "not spots".
These are areas that may have coverage from some but not all of the four networks.
This will halve the number of areas where there is patchy mobile coverage.
In addition, the operators will increase full coverage from 69% to 85% - allowing phone users to download data.
Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Too many parts of the UK regularly suffer from poor mobile coverage leaving them unable to make calls or send texts.
"Government and businesses have been clear about the importance of mobile connectivity, and improved coverage, so this legally binding agreement will give the UK the world-class mobile phone coverage it needs and deserves."
A Vodafone UK spokesman said: "We support the Government's objective of delivering better coverage to rural areas including partial not-spots.
"It is a great result for UK consumers and businesses and it will make the UK a leader across Europe in terms of the reach of mobile coverage."
Around 85% of infants are now receiving free school meals - just three months after the scheme was launched.
Nick Clegg said more than 1.6 million children aged between five and seven have taken up the offer after it was introduced into England's 16,500 primary schools.
The deputy prime minister and Lib Dem leader said: "Well over a million-and-a-half infants are enjoying a school meal at lunchtime, giving them a better start to afternoon lessons and a healthy boost for their first years in school.
"The other good news for families is that this saves them up to £400 per child a year on the cost of a packed lunch.
"The naysayers about this policy can eat their hats, and all the leftover sprouts."
Video:Nine-Year-Old Grills Nick Clegg
Earlier this year, the free meals policy sparked a coalition row over the expense of the reform.
Later, former education secretary Michael Gove and schools minister David Laws wrote a joint article insisting they were both behind the scheme.
Some headteachers initially warned the policy would cause difficulties in schools which did not have adequate kitchen and dining facilities to feed all the children in the lunch break.
A police force has apologised for letting prolific sex offender Jimmy Savile slip through their net by not properly investigating him while he was alive.
North Yorkshire Police has admitted it missed opportunities to act and let down people who reported abuse by the disgraced entertainer and another man in Scarborough.
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy apologised to 35 people who say they were abused in Scarborough between 1958 and 1998 by Savile or his friend Peter Jaconelli, a former mayor of the town.
Two of the alleged victims say both men attacked them.
"On behalf of North Yorkshire Police I am sorry, I am truly sorry we did not respond more effectively, we did not investigate those allegations early on," he said.
Savile's headstone was removed after his abuses were revealed
ACC Kennedy said if Savile and Jaconelli were alive they would be arrested on suspicion of child sex offences ranging from indecent assault to rape.
Savile died in 2011 before being exposed as a prolific offender who abused at least 500 children and Jaconelli died in 1999.
After Savile's crimes were made public campaigners and bloggers on the Yorkshire coast pressured the police over their claims that they had no knowledge of complaints against either Savile or Jaconelli when they were alive.
When several men came forward in March 2014 to say they had been abused by Jaconelli the force referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and began an investigation.
Nigel Ward from the North Yorks Enquirer website welcomed the apology but said more needs to be done.
"The only way to get to the bottom of this now is to have a full scale public inquiry and I would welcome that because I think there are a lot of people who have been culpable in terms of covering up and making it possible for these terrible people to get away with these offences," he said.
The IPCC has recently quizzed an unnamed serving detective sergeant from North Yorkshire Police as part of an ongoing investigation into potential misconduct over how information about Savile and Jaconelli was handled.
Both men are buried in Scarborough's Woodlands Cemetery, where Savile's grave is unmarked after his headstone was removed in 2012 while Jaconelli's prominent headstone records him as Alderman Peter Jaconelli.
Scarborough Council, which is led by Tom Fox, a former Scarborough police commander, stripped Jaconelli of his civic honours when the extent of the complaints against him were acknowledged earlier this year.
Written By Unknown on Rabu, 17 Desember 2014 | 16.12
Petrol prices could soon fall below £1 per litre - the lowest level since the end of May 2009.
The RAC said the recent fall in the price of oil - now below the $60-a-barrel - would keep dropping.
"What's currently happening at the pumps with falling fuel prices is something many motorists will not remember seeing before," said RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said.
"Talk of prices going up like a rocket and falling like a feather could not be further from the truth as retailers have been quick to pass on savings at the forecourt since we forecast on December 6 that prices were due to come down by 7p a litre for petrol and 6p for diesel."
The RAC added that it was hopeful drivers would benefit from the fall in prices in the first few months of the new year.
Video:What's Causing Falling Oil Prices?
The group's monitoring of fuel prices shows the average price of a litre of petrol is 116.9p - nearly 14p a litre cheaper than at the start of the year.
Diesel is nearly 16p cheaper - 122.33p a litre now compared to 138.24p in January.
The average supermarket price of fuel is 114.26p a litre for petrol and 120.18p for diesel.
Video:Petrol Prices
Mr Williams added: "Current forecasts are for average petrol prices to fall to below 110p a litre in the next fortnight and diesel to drop to under 116p.
"At these average prices across the country the cheapest retailers will almost certainly be selling petrol for around 105p a litre, or even lower."
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Video:Britons Reveal IS Fight In Syria
By Lisa Holland, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Two Britons who went to Syria to fight IS have told of their battles on the front line - and how they vowed to kill each other rather than get captured.
Jamie Read and James Hughes told how they dodged bullets during chaotic patrols with Kurdish forces after recording a "goodbye" video for their families in case they died.
They described spending hours lying in the "pitch black" in no-man's land, in conditions they said were reminiscent of World War One.
On one occasion, it was so cold that a young Kurdish comrade collapsed with hypothermia - "body-popping" on the ground next to them.
In an exclusive Sky News interview after their return to the UK, the pair also revealed how panic alarms have been installed in their homes, amid fears they could be targets for IS supporters.
They strongly denied being mercenaries, telling how they had sold possessions to fund their flights and had returned to the UK to "mounting debts and bills".
They had not been paid "a penny" for their exploits, though they had been "treated like royalty" by some of the Kurdish troops, the men said.
And the former soldiers gave a detailed account of their time in Iraq and Syria, explaining that they had travelled to fight IS militants because they had "zero tolerance for terrorism".
The men travelled to Syria after the beheading of Alan Henning
Describing what had prompted them to travel, Mr Read said the beheading of British aid convoy volunteer Alan Henning had been the final straw.
"Alan Henning - aid worker, British - put him on his hands and knees and cut his head off, you know what I mean," Mr Read said.
1/8
Gallery: British Pair Joined Fight Against Islamic State
James Hughes and Jamie Read gave an exclusive interview to Sky News
James Hughes from Worcestershire is a former soldier who served three tours in Afghanistan
]]>
Jamie Read from Lanarkshire, Scotland, spent time training with the French army
]]>
He said that he had 'zero tolerance' for terrorism
]]>
The men joined Kurdish fighters in Syria battling IS
]]>
"Can you really find justification in sitting back here and doing nothing?"
Mr Read, 24, and Mr Hughes, 26, revealed that organising the trip had been quite simple with a "phone call here or there" and some communication over Skype.
They were screened by simply having their Facebook posts checked and ensuring that social media friends were not IS supporters, Mr Read said.
The pair said that after arriving in Irbil, northern Iraq, they were transported via the Kurdish HQ to the front line in Syria.
During the journey the Britons said they had no idea whether they had landed in a trap.
"I'm not going to lie, this was one of the most frightening processes you can go through, you know, the paranoia: through the roof," Mr Read said.
"You get picked up by a guy who doesn't speak English, so straight away there's a language barrier.
"When we got to the safe house... it's sort of dodgy-looking, so you think 'I don't really like this'. At one point, you think 'is this the point I'm going to get handed over?'"
After getting a uniform and weapons, Mr Hughes said they eventually "rocked up" on the frontline to an old schoolhouse covered in mud.
Video:UK Needs Stronger Foreign Policy
They arrived to cheers from their Kurdish comrades, were plied with chai (tea) and cigarettes, and met three other Westerners who had joined the fight.
During their three weeks on the front line, their duties included terrifying night patrols where it was the "blackest black... like being in a cave with no lights".
"You are left staring into the pitch black, hoping no one sees you first," Mr Read said.
The Britons said they had hatched a plan to shoot each dead rather than being caught and paraded on television as hostages.
"We wouldn't get captured, bottom line, we couldn't get captured, we're not getting our heads paraded on YouTube, we made that vow before we went out.
"Everybody out there is carrying a round for themselves. Nobody wants to be captured by IS. Nobody wants to end up on YouTube getting their head cut off.
"So for us, as harsh as it sounds, it's probably the better way to go. It's the old saying, 'you keep a round for each other'."
Describing their final day, Mr Read told how the pair had been out on patrol towards a nearby village where IS militants had been holed up.
"All of a sudden we just got opened up on. Quite a lot of small arms (...) quite a lot of AKs and they were quite close.
1/12
Gallery: Peshmergas On The Front Line In The Battle Against Islamic State
Kurdish Peshmerga forces sweep the Bakirta village near the town of Makhmur, south of Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan
Members of Kurdish "peshmerga" troops ride a vehicle during an intensive security deployment on the outskirts of Diyala, northeast of Baghdad
]]>
"There were rounds coming in and they were really close - they were pinging and they were bouncing, whizzing over your head - obviously it's a very distinctive noise.
"There was a lot of shouting, a lot of screaming, a lot of F-words being dropped."
The pair said they were forced to flee through a village which was "littered with IEDs (improvised explosive devices)" before returning to base.
"We eventually made it out but this was a real eye-opener - this is how these people were going to act - there's something more that needs to be done there."
They returned to Britain last week and were questioned by anti-terrorism officers for six hours at Heathrow airport before being released.
Asked whether they would return to Syria, Mr Read said: "I'd like to think we would have the opportunity to go back."
But he added: "I'm unsure on the political stance - I'm not sure whether our Government would appreciate us going back."
:: You can watch an extended special report on the IS-fighting Britons at 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 8.30pm, today.
Watch the report on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.
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Exclusive: Death Pact Of IS-Fighting Britons
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Video:Britons Reveal IS Fight In Syria
By Lisa Holland, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Two Britons who went to Syria to fight IS have told of their battles on the front line - and how they vowed to kill each other rather than get captured.
Jamie Read and James Hughes told how they dodged bullets during chaotic patrols with Kurdish forces after recording a "goodbye" video for their families in case they died.
They described spending hours lying in the "pitch black" in no-man's land, in conditions they said were reminiscent of World War One.
On one occasion, it was so cold that a young Kurdish comrade collapsed with hypothermia - "body-popping" on the ground next to them.
In an exclusive Sky News interview after their return to the UK, the pair also revealed how panic alarms have been installed in their homes, amid fears they could be targets for IS supporters.
They strongly denied being mercenaries, telling how they had sold possessions to fund their flights and had returned to the UK to "mounting debts and bills".
They had not been paid "a penny" for their exploits, though they had been "treated like royalty" by some of the Kurdish troops, the men said.
And the former soldiers gave a detailed account of their time in Iraq and Syria, explaining that they had travelled to fight IS militants because they had "zero tolerance for terrorism".
The men travelled to Syria after the beheading of Alan Henning
Describing what had prompted them to travel, Mr Read said the beheading of British aid convoy volunteer Alan Henning had been the final straw.
"Alan Henning - aid worker, British - put him on his hands and knees and cut his head off, you know what I mean," Mr Read said.
1/8
Gallery: British Pair Joined Fight Against Islamic State
James Hughes and Jamie Read gave an exclusive interview to Sky News
James Hughes from Worcestershire is a former soldier who served three tours in Afghanistan
]]>
Jamie Read from Lanarkshire, Scotland, spent time training with the French army
]]>
He said that he had 'zero tolerance' for terrorism
]]>
The men joined Kurdish fighters in Syria battling IS
]]>
"Can you really find justification in sitting back here and doing nothing?"
Mr Read, 24, and Mr Hughes, 26, revealed that organising the trip had been quite simple with a "phone call here or there" and some communication over Skype.
They were screened by simply having their Facebook posts checked and ensuring that social media friends were not IS supporters, Mr Read said.
The pair said that after arriving in Irbil, northern Iraq, they were transported via the Kurdish HQ to the front line in Syria.
During the journey the Britons said they had no idea whether they had landed in a trap.
"I'm not going to lie, this was one of the most frightening processes you can go through, you know, the paranoia: through the roof," Mr Read said.
"You get picked up by a guy who doesn't speak English, so straight away there's a language barrier.
"When we got to the safe house... it's sort of dodgy-looking, so you think 'I don't really like this'. At one point, you think 'is this the point I'm going to get handed over?'"
After getting a uniform and weapons, Mr Hughes said they eventually "rocked up" on the frontline to an old schoolhouse covered in mud.
Video:UK Needs Stronger Foreign Policy
They arrived to cheers from their Kurdish comrades, were plied with chai (tea) and cigarettes, and met three other Westerners who had joined the fight.
During their three weeks on the front line, their duties included terrifying night patrols where it was the "blackest black... like being in a cave with no lights".
"You are left staring into the pitch black, hoping no one sees you first," Mr Read said.
The Britons said they had hatched a plan to shoot each dead rather than being caught and paraded on television as hostages.
"We wouldn't get captured, bottom line, we couldn't get captured, we're not getting our heads paraded on YouTube, we made that vow before we went out.
"Everybody out there is carrying a round for themselves. Nobody wants to be captured by IS. Nobody wants to end up on YouTube getting their head cut off.
"So for us, as harsh as it sounds, it's probably the better way to go. It's the old saying, 'you keep a round for each other'."
Describing their final day, Mr Read told how the pair had been out on patrol towards a nearby village where IS militants had been holed up.
"All of a sudden we just got opened up on. Quite a lot of small arms (...) quite a lot of AKs and they were quite close.
1/12
Gallery: Peshmergas On The Front Line In The Battle Against Islamic State
Kurdish Peshmerga forces sweep the Bakirta village near the town of Makhmur, south of Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan
Members of Kurdish "peshmerga" troops ride a vehicle during an intensive security deployment on the outskirts of Diyala, northeast of Baghdad
]]>
"There were rounds coming in and they were really close - they were pinging and they were bouncing, whizzing over your head - obviously it's a very distinctive noise.
"There was a lot of shouting, a lot of screaming, a lot of F-words being dropped."
The pair said they were forced to flee through a village which was "littered with IEDs (improvised explosive devices)" before returning to base.
"We eventually made it out but this was a real eye-opener - this is how these people were going to act - there's something more that needs to be done there."
They returned to Britain last week and were questioned by anti-terrorism officers for six hours at Heathrow airport before being released.
Asked whether they would return to Syria, Mr Read said: "I'd like to think we would have the opportunity to go back."
But he added: "I'm unsure on the political stance - I'm not sure whether our Government would appreciate us going back."
:: You can watch an extended special report on the IS-fighting Britons at 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 8.30pm, today.
Watch the report on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.
Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain
Top Stories
Former UK Soldiers 'Compelled' To Fight IS
Breaking News: Pakistan Reinstates Death Penalty After Attack
Breaking News: Rouble Crisis: Apple Halts Russia Web Sales
Boxer Anthony Crolla is being treated in hospital after being hit with a concrete slab when tackling a pair of burglars.
The 28-year-old, known as "Million Dollar", is due to undergo CT scans for a head injury and a broken ankle.
His trainer Joe Gallagher said before going in to see the fighter in hospital: "I tried talking to him before but he's concussed.
"The next door neighbours were being burgled, and the burglars came into his garden.
"He gave chase, and apprehended one of them, and the other one lifted a slab of concrete and hit him with it, and he fell and broke his ankle."
Crolla was due to face Richar Abril from Cuba for the WBA world lightweight title in Manchester on January 23 - but his promoter Eddie Hearn tweeted: "Anthony is in a stable condition in Oldham hospital.
"Unfortunately the Jan 23rd fight is off but concerns right now are with Ant and family."
He added: "You ask anyone in boxing doubt you could find a nicer kid than Crolla, absolutely gutted for him."
Crolla has fought in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions and is the current holder of the WBO inter-continental lightweight title after beating Gavin Rees.
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 16 Desember 2014 | 16.12
A Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen-designed Christmas experience is closing early, just weeks after it was widely criticised.
The Magical Journey experience at the Belfry Hotel, near Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, had originally closed just a day after it was originally launched in late November but later reopened after a series of "improvements".
On Monday it closed for good after a major financial backer pulled out with nine opening days left.
The organisers said they had been "left in the lurch" and could not find a replacement backer.
The celebrity interior designer told the Press Association he was "extremely surprised" after finding out on Twitter his experience had been shut down.
Mr Llewelyn-Bowen, who shot to fame on BBC's Changing Rooms, said he had not given any financial support to the project and was unaware who the backer was.
He said: "It's absolutely shocking. We found out by Twitter. Everybody was in bed feeling Christmassy and now we are not feeling very Christmassy at all.
"I was really impressed with the way they addressed all the issues the first time around and the energy and resources that went into it so I'm extremely surprised the towel's been thrown in at this stage.
A photo taken from the Instagram account of the Magical Journey
"I feel appalling it is not the happy experience I really want it to be. I feel extremely sorry for everybody let down in the next nine days and also for the staff who worked on the front-line. I'm hoping they will get their money back.
"On a personal level I was so excited by the idea of designing Christmas."
He said in hindsight the group he worked with to deliver the project was not experienced enough for the type of event.
"I was just commissioned to create some design concepts for the experience," he said. "There was no financial backing from my point of view and no involvement in the management.
"I feel very much I was the designer and I'm a very public face so people are cross with me."
Another photo taken from the Instagram account of the Magical Journey
The presenter added he would be donating his fee, the amount of which he would not confirm, to a Birmingham children's hospice and said: "I do not want to make any money at all out of this experience."
A statement on the Magical Journey's website said: "We are really sorry to have to tell you this, but as of tomorrow (Tuesday 16 December 2014) The Magical Journey, based at The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, will no longer be in operation.
"We are truly sorry. After all we've been through having to shutdown in the final week is devastating. Although we had quite the time of it in the press and on social media, feedback was great with over 600 four and five star reviews."
The website said that anyone who has bought tickets and wants their money back should use the Chargeback scheme.
The experience is the latest in a series of Christmas-themed attractions to suffer criticism over the last couple of years for providing poor value for money.
Four teenage boys have been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 52-year-old man in London.
The 52-year-old victim was attacked apparently during an argument with a group of youngsters as he tried to get into a block of flats where he lived in Edmonton on Sunday night.
Police say the victim - who was with a woman - continued into the block but was followed by two of the boys and he was then stabbed.
The youngsters did not know the man, who died at the scene shortly before 8.40pm.
Three 14-year-olds and one 13-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder must return to an east London police station on a date in late January pending further enquiries, Scotland Yard said.
Video:Locals On Edmonton Murder
A second 13-year-old, also held on on suspicion of murder, remains in custody at an east London police station.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.
Detective Chief Inspector Neale Baldock said: "Our initial enquiries have established that there was a supervised party taking place at another address within the block and the group of males were trying to gain access to this.
"The victim and this group were not known to each other - what started as a minor verbal altercation has escalated into a shocking act of violence."
Sky Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "There is a good deal of police activity at the scene, much of it focused on talking to people that live in this block of flats.
"They're trying to establish how what appears to have been an altercation turned into such a drama."
The Conservatives will today set out plans to reduce the influence of Scottish MPs over laws that affect only England and Wales.
William Hague, the leader of the House of Commons, will publish a Command paper with three options. They are expected to be:
:: A total ban on Scottish MPs having any say in English or Welsh legislation
:: A veto for English MPs over laws that only affect their constituents
:: A committee of England-only MPs that would scrutinise legislation, with a say during at least the early stages of policy-making
Video:Home Rule Commons Voting Changes
Many Tory MPs would like to see a full system of English votes for English laws.
They have been loudly demanding the change ever since the Westminster parties made a "vow" of further devolution to Scotland.
But Labour is cautious about any change because it has 41 MPs north of the border and fears the impact of English-only votes.
It is possible that Labour could have a UK-wide majority that is lost without their Scottish MPs, meaning they could be in power but unable to pass key legislation, such as a Budget, through Parliament.
A Conservative source told Sky News that the party would set out three options and hope for a "vote in the new year".
There is a suggestion that Downing Street favours the veto option, while Labour would prefer a committee with much weaker powers.
The Lib Dems want a grand committee composed in proportion not to the number of MPs that each party has in Westminster, but to their vote share at the election.
David Laws, the Lib Dem schools minister, said that would be consistent with how power was devolved to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in the late 1990s.
Written By Unknown on Senin, 15 Desember 2014 | 16.12
Businesses are furious after a piece of software used by retailers on Amazon went wrong, causing hundreds of items to be sold for 1p.
Some firms which use RepricerExpress say they risk going bankrupt because the problem has resulted in them losing so much money.
The software is designed to keep businesses competitive by automatically repricing items of stock so they are cheaper than others in the digital market.
The firm states on its website: "We are here to increase your sales on Amazon and Rakuten's Play.com and make your efforts as profitable as possible."
For an hour on Friday, between 7pm and 8pm, a problem with RepricerExpress led to hundreds of items being sold on Amazon at a fraction of their normal price. At the same time, some customers said, Amazon charged its usual fees for every item sold.
One of the sellers, Judith Blackford of Kiddymania, told Sky News she could be forced out of business as result of the error.
She said: "I started using Repricer Express - a repricing tool as did a lot of other businesses a few months ago.
"Last night through an error in their programme they listed my stock on Amazon at 1p per item including delivery.
"I have lost about £20,000 overnight. Having asked Amazon to cancel the orders they are still sending them out and charging me horrendous fees.
"Surely someone has to be accountable for this. I will be bankrupt at this rate by the end of January."
Another online trader Belle thinks her company, which sells toys and games, will lose around £30,000 and she will probably be put out of business.
Belle thinks her firm, which sells toys and games, will lose around £30,000
She told Sky News: "It's disgusting really because this third party software, that is their business, this should not have happened, this is 2014.
"We have to pay for this software every month, we've been using it for 18 months no problem.
"At the busiest time - this was predicted to be our busiest weekend of Christmas - turnover is zero."
As a result of the error, several buyers commented on Twitter at how pleased they were to have bought the items for so little.
One person wrote: "Amazon are having a glitch on their site and loads of stuff is selling for 1p. I just bought an incense holder, don't even need it."
An email to some customers from the CEO of RepricerExpress, Brendan Doherty, said the problems with the software caused incorrect pricing to be sent to Amazon.
A statement on the company's website from Mr Doherty said: "I am truly sorry for the distress this has caused our customers.
"We have received communication that Amazon will not penalise sellers for this error. We are continuing to work to identify how this problem occurred and to put measures in place to ensure that it does not happen again.
"Everyone here is devastated and disappointed that you have experienced this problem.
"We understand that you are angry and upset and we will endeavour to work to make good on this issue."
A spokesman for Amazon said: "We are aware that a number of Marketplace sellers listed incorrect prices for a short period of time as a result of the third party software they use to price their items on Amazon.co.uk.
"We responded quickly and were able to cancel the vast majority of orders placed on these affected items immediately and no costs or fees will be incurred by sellers for these cancelled orders.
"We are now reviewing the small number of orders that were processed and will be reaching out to any affected sellers directly."
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Mr Smith was to fight South Basildon and East Thurrock for UKIP next May
A high-profile UKIP Westminster hopeful has quit as the party's candidate in a top target seat after making offensive comments.
In recordings of phone calls obtained by the Mail on Sunday, Kerry Smith is said to have mocked gay party members as "poofters", and referred to someone as a "chinky bird".
Neil Hamilton stepped aside after Mr Smith was reinstated
He also joked about shooting people from Chigwell in a "peasant hunt".
In a statement released on Sunday evening, he said: "I have this evening offered my resignation as UKIP PPC for South Basildon and East Thurrock.
1/16
Gallery: The UKIP History In Pictures
1993: UKIP is founded by Alan Sked in response to the Maastricht Treaty, which set out the modern day EU and paved the way for the Euro. He left the party in 1997 saying it had become a "racist party for the far-right". He is now the leader of New Deal, which has been called UKIP of the Left.
1999: The party takes its first three seats in the European Parliament, under the leadership of the millionaire businessman Michael Holmes. Nigel Farage is one of those MEPs.
]]>
2000: Michael Holmes resigns and Jeffrey Titford takes over as leader of UKIP. He leads the party to field 420 candidates at the 2001 General Election and secure 1.5% of the vote.
]]>
2002: Former Conservative Roger Knapman takes over at the helm.
]]>
2004: The party wins 12 seats at the European Elections, among the UKIP MEPs is the chat show host Robert Kilroy Silk.
]]>
"I want the best for South Basildon and East Thurrock and I want to see the real issues discussed that touch the lives of people.
"Therefore I have chosen to resign so that Ukip can win this seat next May."
Mr Smith's resignation comes just days after he was reinstated as the party's election candidate in South Basildon and East Thurrock.
Mr Smith, a member of both Essex County Council and Basildon District Council, initially apologised and said he had been under great stress and taking strong painkillers for a back injury when he made the comments.
Mr Kerry also accepted claims he made in the calls about party leader Nigel Farage and other senior figures were "completely wrong" and "fuelled by frustrations at the time".
Mr Smith was deselected as the candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock in October - with Neil Hamilton, the former Tory minister who is now UKIP's deputy chairman, in the running to win the nomination.
But Mr Hamilton ended up endorsing the Essex county councillor in his hustings speech after Mr Smith was reinstated.
It led the ex-Conservative to hit out at party insiders over a "dirty tricks" campaign being run against him.
A party spokesman was unable to say when the selection process would be run again, and Mr Hamilton declined to comment on Mr Smith's resignation or his own plans.
UKIP MEP Patrick O'Flynn said of Mr Smith's comments before he announced his resignation: "He needs to learn to express himself more respectfully about minorities of all kinds now he is off the prescription drugs and he is our candidate."
But he added: "He is very popular... He is a young man, he is learning politics.
"We don't want to become so anodyne and speaking in such non-colloquial language that we lose touch and I think some of the other parties risk doing that.
"But clearly what he said there is unacceptable. He has apologised unreservedly. There are big mitigating circumstances.
"It is from some time ago and we are willing now to judge him on his performance going forward from now."
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UKIP Candidate Quits Over Offensive Remarks
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Mr Smith was to fight South Basildon and East Thurrock for UKIP next May
A high-profile UKIP Westminster hopeful has quit as the party's candidate in a top target seat after making offensive comments.
In recordings of phone calls obtained by the Mail on Sunday, Kerry Smith is said to have mocked gay party members as "poofters", and referred to someone as a "chinky bird".
Neil Hamilton stepped aside after Mr Smith was reinstated
He also joked about shooting people from Chigwell in a "peasant hunt".
In a statement released on Sunday evening, he said: "I have this evening offered my resignation as UKIP PPC for South Basildon and East Thurrock.
1/16
Gallery: The UKIP History In Pictures
1993: UKIP is founded by Alan Sked in response to the Maastricht Treaty, which set out the modern day EU and paved the way for the Euro. He left the party in 1997 saying it had become a "racist party for the far-right". He is now the leader of New Deal, which has been called UKIP of the Left.
1999: The party takes its first three seats in the European Parliament, under the leadership of the millionaire businessman Michael Holmes. Nigel Farage is one of those MEPs.
]]>
2000: Michael Holmes resigns and Jeffrey Titford takes over as leader of UKIP. He leads the party to field 420 candidates at the 2001 General Election and secure 1.5% of the vote.
]]>
2002: Former Conservative Roger Knapman takes over at the helm.
]]>
2004: The party wins 12 seats at the European Elections, among the UKIP MEPs is the chat show host Robert Kilroy Silk.
]]>
"I want the best for South Basildon and East Thurrock and I want to see the real issues discussed that touch the lives of people.
"Therefore I have chosen to resign so that Ukip can win this seat next May."
Mr Smith's resignation comes just days after he was reinstated as the party's election candidate in South Basildon and East Thurrock.
Mr Smith, a member of both Essex County Council and Basildon District Council, initially apologised and said he had been under great stress and taking strong painkillers for a back injury when he made the comments.
Mr Kerry also accepted claims he made in the calls about party leader Nigel Farage and other senior figures were "completely wrong" and "fuelled by frustrations at the time".
Mr Smith was deselected as the candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock in October - with Neil Hamilton, the former Tory minister who is now UKIP's deputy chairman, in the running to win the nomination.
But Mr Hamilton ended up endorsing the Essex county councillor in his hustings speech after Mr Smith was reinstated.
It led the ex-Conservative to hit out at party insiders over a "dirty tricks" campaign being run against him.
A party spokesman was unable to say when the selection process would be run again, and Mr Hamilton declined to comment on Mr Smith's resignation or his own plans.
UKIP MEP Patrick O'Flynn said of Mr Smith's comments before he announced his resignation: "He needs to learn to express himself more respectfully about minorities of all kinds now he is off the prescription drugs and he is our candidate."
But he added: "He is very popular... He is a young man, he is learning politics.
"We don't want to become so anodyne and speaking in such non-colloquial language that we lose touch and I think some of the other parties risk doing that.
"But clearly what he said there is unacceptable. He has apologised unreservedly. There are big mitigating circumstances.
"It is from some time ago and we are willing now to judge him on his performance going forward from now."
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Breaking News: Siege Flag Examined For Terror Clues
A scheme offering 100,000 first-time buyers new homes with a discount of 20% as part of a drive to help people onto the property ladder will be launched by David Cameron later.
Those under 40 who have never owned their own home can register their interest in buying via the Starter Home Initiative from the start of 2015 - six months earlier than planned.
Because of a change to the planning system set to come into force, under-used or unviable brownfield land will be freed from certain costs in return for a below market value sale price on properties constructed on the site.
Developers and councils are being urged to ensure the changes unlock a variety of sites across the country.
Mr Cameron said: "Hard-working young people want to plan for the future and enjoy the security of being able to own their own home. I want to help them do just that.
Video:Stamp Duty: Good News For Buyers
"Under this scheme, first-time buyers will be offered the chance of a 20% discount, unlocking home ownership for a generation.
"This is all part of our long-term economic plan to secure a better future for Britain, making sure we are backing those who work hard and get on in life."
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "The 2008 housing crash blocked millions of hard-working, creditworthy people from becoming home-owners, at a time in their lives when they should have been able to expect to get on the property ladder.
"We're turning that around with Help to Buy, but today's new Starter Homes scheme will offer a further boost, giving young people (under 40) the opportunity to buy low-cost, high-quality new homes for significantly less than they would normally expect."
Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said the initiative is "another positive step" in tackling the shortage of housing.
At the moment, developers can face an average bill of £15,000 per home in Section 106 affordable housing contributions and tariffs.
But under the scheme, developers offering Starter Homes would not have to pay certain charges.
To ensure the savings are passed onto buyers, the homes will not be able to be re-sold at market value for a fixed period.
Video:July: Young Unable To Buy Homes
More than 30 house builders have already backed the plans, and say they would consider bringing forward land to be developed from next year.
A design panel will be set up to ensure the homes are not only cheap, but also high-quality.
Renowned architect Sir Terry Farrell, who is on the panel, said it could make a real difference.
He added it would build on the recommendations of the Farrell Review, which raised the need for more proactive planning.
Sir Terry said: "Only by planning and designing our villages, towns and cities together with local communities can we create the kind of built environment we all aspire to and should be demanding."
Shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds said no-one would believe the PM's promises on the issue, and added: "The only way to restore the dream of home ownership is to build more homes and Labour has a plan to get at least 200,000 homes built a year by 2020.
"We are in favour of building starter homes but it is not clear how the Government is going to deliver these homes 20% cheaper than market price."
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 14 Desember 2014 | 16.12
The body in charge of Britain's air traffic control system was warned four months ago that its plan to deal with technical faults was not clear enough, it has been claimed.
A computer glitch at NATS control centre in Hampshire on Friday led more than 300 flights being cancelled or delayed and travel disruption for thousands of passengers.
The air traffic control organisation NATS said on Saturday that the computer meltdown was sparked by an unprecedented systems failure.
It was the second major problem to hit the Swanwick centre in just over a year.
A report in the Independent on Sunday says the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) told NATS officials in the summer that they needed to be better prepared to deal with IT problems.
Video:Plane Chaos: Fault 'Unprecedented'
The newspaper also said that experts had warned NATS that a huge redundancy programme might deepen the problem, resulting in serious future meltdowns.
A spokesman for the CAA said: "We said to NATS that the report that they had produced as a result of their investigation into the December failing in 2013 lacked clarity ... and subsequently there was more work done on that."
He was unable to confirm whether or not that report contained information about plans NATS would put into action in the event of a technical failure.
Meanwhile, an MP called for the top boss of NATS to lose his bonuses as a result of Friday's fault.
Richard Deakin, NATS chief executive, said the software glitch was "buried" among millions of lines of code written a quarter of a century ago.
But Labour MP Paul Flynn told The Sunday Times that Mr Deakin earns more than £1m after receiving a 45% pay rise this year.
"I hope after the chaos, which was dreadful, though a rare event, he will have his bonuses stripped from him," he said.
Video:Flights Delayed In London Airspace
NATS said operations were back to normal on Saturday with only minor delays and cancellations at some of the UK's airports as a result of a backlog.
A statement from NATS said: "Swanwick controller workstations provide a number of tools and services to the controller to enable them to safely control a high volume of air traffic.
"In normal operations the number of workstations in use versus in standby fluctuates with the demands of the traffic being controlled.
"In this instance a transition between the two states caused a failure in the system which has not been seen before.
"The failure meant that the controllers were unable to access all of the data regarding individual flight plans which significantly increases their workload.
"We immediately took steps to reduce the traffic into and out of the UK network. At no time was safety compromised in any way."
Mr Deakin said NATS is investing a "huge amount" in new technology, with £575m set to be spent over the next five years to move towards more resilient, internet-based systems.
Tax bosses have promised the service offered by public helplines will be improved, after it was revealed that almost a third of calls are getting cut off.
Research by consumer group Which? found that, in a sample of 100 calls, only 71 were not cut off with an automated message saying the service was "very busy".
Those calls that did survive this initial cut waited an average of 18 minutes to speak to someone, with the longest waiting 41 minutes.
The system's voice recognition also made mistakes when directing queries to other departments, with more complex phrases being misunderstood.
For example, when asked "do I need to pay tax on premium bond winnings?" the system asked if the caller was inquiring about changing a name or about a VAT surcharge notice.
The research comes in the run-up to the self-assessment tax return deadline of 31 January.
HM Revenue and Customs admitted the service "isn't good enough" and that new technology is being brought in to improve responses.
Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: "With large numbers of people soon to be seeking help with their self-assessment tax return, we want to see HMRC doing more to monitor and improve their call-waiting times."
A spokesman for HMRC said: "HMRC receives over 40 million calls a year but we know that some of our customers can struggle to get through on our helplines at very busy times. This isn't good enough, and we are working hard to improve the range of services we provide.
"This year we are introducing new technology to help us answer more calls quicker at busy times, and we are improving the digital services we offer so that more customers can find all they need online.
"There is more to do, and we are committed to improving the service we offer all of our customers at all times, to help them find advice and support when they need it."
The head of the UK's Intelligence and Security Committee is demanding to see material documenting any British links to the CIA's use of torture.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, chair of the Commons committee, is seeking any intelligence relating to the UK that was redacted from the explosive Senate report into the CIA.
It concluded that the CIA lied over its torture and interrogation programme developed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Sir Malcolm told The Observer newspaper: "I am not going to go into the details of how we might try and achieve this, there are various ways we can try and advance it, but at the end of the day the actual decision on the American redacted material is for the Americans to take.
"One additional point is that the only issues we are going to be asking them about are issues relevant to the United Kingdom.
Video:Former CIA Officer Michael Scheuer
"We don't need to see the whole of their redacted report."
The British Government has admitted requesting the deletion of references to Britain's intelligence agencies for national security reasons.
UK Government representatives had 24 meetings with members of the US committee responsible for the findings.
Video:MI5 And MI6 Involvement Questioned
Some of the deletions are believed to relate to the British Overseas Territory of Diego Garcia.
There is escalating pressure on the British government not to extend an agreement allowing the US to use the territory in the Indian Ocean as a military base.
Andrew Tyrie, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on rendition, said any negotiations should address allegations that it was used by the CIA to render terror suspects around the world.
Video:UK Involvement in CIA Torture
"The negotiations on the lease can focus minds on establishing the scope and limits of Britain's involvement, direct or indirect, in extraordinary rendition," Mr Tyrie said.
"We are talking about kidnap and taking people to places where they may be maltreated or tortured."
The former Home Office minister, Lib Dem MP Norman Baker, who has taken a close interest in the atoll, said: "As it comes up for renewal, we need a full explanation of what happened in our name on that island."
Video:UK Wanted CIA Report Changes
:: Sir Malcolm Rifkind will appear on Sky's Murnaghan programme at 11.30am this morning.
