Radio Prank Nurse: Post-Mortem Examination Due

A post-mortem examination is due to be held later on the nurse who apparently took her own life after she fell victim to a prank call made to the hospital treating the Duchess of Cambridge.

Tributes have been paid to Jacintha Saldanha, who was found dead on Friday days after she was tricked by two Australian radio hosts who called the King Edward VII Hospital in central London.

She transferred the presenters, believing they were the Queen and the Prince of Wales, to a colleague who divulged details about Kate's treatment for severe morning sickness.

Ms Saldanha, 46, from Bristol, was found dead in a block of nurses' flats close to the hospital, where she stayed while working in London.

MP Keith Vaz met her family on Monday and said they had been "devastated" by the loss of a "loving mother and a loving wife".

Flanked by Ms Saldanha's husband Benedict Barboza and her two teenage children, Mr Vaz said: "They miss her every moment of every day, but they are really grateful to the support of the British public and to the public overseas for the messages of support and kindness."

Mr Vaz has called for the hospital to provide the family with more support and to hold an inquiry.

Ms Saldanha's family have been left "devastated" by their loss

His criticism came after the DJs behind the call, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, broke their silence about the nurse's death.

Interviewed on Australian TV networks, the 2Day FM presenters said there had been a "tragic turn of events no-one could have predicted or expected".

A tearful Greig told Today Tonight on Australia's Channel Seven: "There's nothing that can make me feel worse than what I feel right now. And for what I feel for the family."

Police in London have contacted their Australian counterparts with a view to interviewing the pair ahead of an inquest into Ms Saldanha's death.

In response to Mr Vaz's criticism the hospital said its chief executive John Lofthouse had spoken to the nurse's husband on Friday by phone and offered to meet him whenever he wanted.

Southern Cross Austereo, the parent company of 2Day FM, has suspended advertising on the Sydney radio station until further notice, ended Greig and Christian's Hot 30 show and suspended prank calls across the company.

Rhys Holleran, the chief executive of the firm, has said the station called the hospital five times to discuss what it had recorded before going to air.

Mr Christian and Ms Greig have spoken emotionally about the tragedy

Under Australian regulations, the permission of anyone on the receiving end of a radio prank must be sought before the call can be broadcast.

But the hospital denied on Monday that anyone within its senior management or media unit was contacted.

Mr Holleran insisted the appropriate checks were conducted before the pre-recorded item was broadcast, and defended the presenters in an interview late on Monday with Australia's Ten Network.

Asked if anyone in authority above the hosts was at the station when the call was made, he said: "I think that it is important that these two individuals did not recklessly just decide to put something to air."

He said the "went through a process", without going into details.

Southern Cross Austereo has announced it will donate all of its profits until the end of the year to a charity chosen by the family of Ms Saldanha. It is expected to be a minimum of AUS$500,000 (£326,000).

Ms Saldanha was originally from Mangalore in southwest India, according to reports which have named her children as daughter Lisha, 14, and son Junal, 16.

Scotland Yard said the post-mortem would be held at Westminster Mortuary and it was likely an inquest would be opened and adjourned at Westminster Coroner's Court later this week.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mixed Marriage 'More Accepted' In Britain

By James Matthews, News Correspondent

The British have become far more comfortable than they used to be with interracial marriage, according to a report.

Research by think-tank British Future also reveals that forthcoming census results will show a significant increase in the number of mixed race people living in the UK.

The organisation estimates that more than a million people in Britain are now of mixed parentage.

Its report, The Melting Pot Generation - How Britain Became More Relaxed About Race, says "mixed Britain is fast becoming the new normal" .

It points to famous mixed race people such as Jessica Ennis, Lewis Hamilton and Leona Lewis as being key influences on public acceptance.

Olympic heroine Ennis was born in Sheffield in 1986 to a Jamaican father and English mother.

At that time, a British Social Attitudes survey showed 50% of the public were against marriage across ethnic lines. The figure dropped to 40% in the 1990s and it now stands at 15%.

Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, said under-30s were Britain's most tolerant generation.

"One in four of the over-65s still say that they would be uncomfortable about a child or grandchild marrying somebody from a different race, but that falls to one in 20 of those under 25.

"It ranked last out of 10 as a possible source of concern, with even worries about the idea of marrying somebody much richer being slightly stronger among the youngest group."

He said the "Jessica Ennis generation" are much more likely to be mixed race, with one in 10 children growing up with parents from different backgrounds.

"Over a million Britons will have ticked the census box as mixed race - and that is only half the story of the rapid growth of mixed Britain," he said.

"Twice as many people have ethnically mixed parentage - but over half of them choose other census categories, such as black or white."

The think-tank believes that Britain has a greater claim to "melting pot" status than the US.

It points out that in America most mixed race people marry someone from an ethnic minority - as with Barack and Michelle Obama - but three quarters of Britons with mixed parentage marry white people.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Snoopers' Charter: Nick Clegg Urges Re-Think

By Katie Stallard, Media And Technology Correspondent

The Government must go back to the drawing board with its plans for new digital surveillance laws, Nick Clegg has told Sky News.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the coalition should have a fundamental rethink about the draft Communications Data Bill, dubbed the Snoopers' Charter by opponents.

He was responding to a critical cross-party report from MPs and peers who studied the proposals and accused the Government of using "fanciful and misleading" figures to justify them.

The Joint Committee also declared that the breadth of the draft bill would be "overkill".

Mr Clegg said: "Their report makes a number of serious criticisms - not least on scope; proportionality; cost; checks and balances; and the need for much wider consultation.

"It is for those reasons that I believe the coalition Government needs to have a fundamental rethink about this legislation. We cannot proceed with this bill and we have to go back to the drawing board."

Nick Clegg wants a rethink but Theresa May insists there can be no delay

The Joint Committee questioned the scope of the measures, which would see records kept of all internet and mobile phone communications for 12 months, regardless of whether the individual was suspected of a crime.

Details of emails, internet phone calls and activity on social networking sites would be stored, but not the message content.

Lord Blencathra, who chaired the committee, concluded: "There is a fine but crucial line between allowing our law enforcement and security agencies access to the information they need to protect the country and allowing our citizens to go about their daily business without a fear, however unjustified, that the state is monitoring their every move.

"Whilst the Joint Committee realise that there are specific data types which are not currently available, and which would aid the work of law enforcement bodies and the security services, we are very concerned at how wide the scope of the Bill is in its current form."

He added: "The breadth of the draft Bill as it stands appears to be overkill and is much wider than the specific needs identified by the law enforcement agencies.

"We urge the Government to reconsider its zeal to future-proof legislation and concentrate on getting the immediate necessities right. We are confident that the safeguards already in the draft Bill, together with our recommendations to strengthen those safeguards, will do just that."

The committee also criticised the level of consultation with service providers, who would be required to gather the data, and questioned whether the sums added up.

The report said they expected the overall cost to the taxpayer to exceed the £1.8bn estimate by a "considerable margin", and that the Home Office figure for estimated benefits was "even less reliable".

"The estimated net benefit figure is fanciful and misleading. It ought not to be used to influence parliament in deciding on the relative advantages and disadvantages of this legislation," it said.

Nick Pickles, from the campaign group Big Brother Watch, told Sky News: "The committee has exposed weak evidence, misleading statements and fanciful figures, and unanimously rejected this draft Bill's proposal to monitor everyone's emails, web visits and social media messages.

"The complexity and sensitivity of the subject required a radically different process and a totally different bill.

"There are challenges, but they can be solved in a proportionate way that protects privacy, is based on what is technically possible and focuses on maximising the effectiveness of data already held."

Home Secretary Theresa May insists the legislation is needed to keep up with advances in technology and bring the law up to date.

A Home Office spokesman said: "This legislation is vital to help catch paedophiles, terrorists and other serious criminals, and we are pleased both scrutiny committees have recognised the need for new laws.

"We will consider the committees' recommendations carefully, but there can be no delay to this legislation. It is needed by law enforcement agencies now."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

HMS Audacious: New Super Submarine For Navy

By Alistair Bunkall, Sky News Correspondent

A £1.2bn contract has been agreed to build a new submarine for the Royal Navy.

The deal, awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to BAE Systems, will safeguard 3,000 jobs at the company's Barrow shipyard in Cumbria.

The submarine, to be called HMS Audacious, will be the fourth of seven Astute Class boats being built for the Navy. It will join Astute, Ambush and Artful in the growing fleet.

The first two submarines, Astute and Ambush, are currently undergoing sea trials to test their systems ahead of full service. These trials assess their ability to dive to deep depths and fire missiles.

A further £1.5bn has also been committed to three submarines yet to be built, which will complete the fleet. It will allow vital preliminary work to start.

Commenting on the announcement, Rear Admiral Simon Lister, the MoD's director of submarines, said: "The Astute Class will become the jewel in the crown of the Royal Navy's Submarine Service and boasts much greater firepower and more advanced sonar and communications than ever before.

Audacious is the fourth of seven Astute submarines being built for the Navy

"These submarines represent a huge leap forward in technology and will operate all over the world with the Royal Navy.

"These boats provide the optimum capability a submarine can offer in land strike, strategic intelligence gathering, anti-submarine and surface ship warfare, and protection of the strategic deterrent."

The Astute class submarines are powered by nuclear energy which means they never need to refuel. In theory they can stay underwater forever, only re-surfacing to take on supplies for the crew.

They are fitted with the most advanced sonar systems available and are quieter than older submarines. The sonar system has the processing power of 2,000 laptops and can spot and track ships 3,000 miles away.

At around 320ft (97m) from bow to stern they are about 50% bigger than the Royal Navy's current Trafalgar Class submarines. They carry on board a mix of Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk land-attack missiles.

The submarines will also make their own oxygen from seawater. 

The money is coming from a pre-allocated budget. In the Autumn Statement the Chancellor said the MoD could have more time to spend about £1bn that it has yet to use from this year's budget.

It was thought that the Treasury might request the money be returned, but George Osborne has allowed the department a period of flexibility.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

DNA Database: £100m Bid To Cut Cancer Deaths

David Cameron is to unveil plans for a DNA database that could one day hold the genetic details of every person in Britain.

The £100m project will see 100,000 patients with cancer and rare diseases having their DNA fully mapped as part of a drive to revolutionise NHS treatment.

The project, to take place in England over the next three to five years, is aimed at saving thousands of lives - but there are concerns that it could pose risks to privacy.

The Prime Minister said he wanted to "push the boundaries" by introducing mainstream genetic sequencing for the first time.

"Britain has often led the world in scientific breakthroughs and medical innovations, from the first CT scan and test-tube baby through to decoding DNA," Mr Cameron said.

"By unlocking the power of DNA data, the NHS will lead the global race for better tests, better drugs and above all better care.

Doctors hope the database will help reduce cancer deaths

"We are turning an important scientific breakthrough into a potentially life-saving reality for NHS patients across the country.

"If we get this right, we could transform how we diagnose and treat our most complex diseases not only here but across the world, while enabling our best scientists to discover the next wonder drug or breakthrough technology."

Some critics of the project, known as the "UK genome plan", have voiced concerns about how the data will be used and shared with third parties, including with commercial organisations such as drug companies.

GeneWatch, a campaign group fighting for genetic science and technologies to be used in the public interest, has said anyone with access to the database could use the genetic codes to identify and track every individual on it and their relatives.

But Downing Street stressed that the genome sequencing would be entirely voluntary and patients will be able to opt out without affecting their NHS care. It added the data would be "completely anonymised before it is stored".

The Government's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, said the NHS already analysed single genes in cancer tests and to check patients' risk of suffering side effects from treatment.

"At the moment, these tests focus on diseases caused by changes in a single gene," she said.

"This funding opens up the possibility of being able to look at the three billion DNA pieces in each of us so we can get a greater understanding of the complex relationship between our genes and lifestyle."

The £100m, which comes from existing NHS budgets, will go on training genetic scientists, mapping patients' DNA, and creating systems for handling the information.

The project that first sequenced a human genome in 2000 cost around £500m, but technical advances mean the bill has dropped dramatically to under £1,000 per person.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Savile Police Arrest London Man In His 60s

Police investigating sex abuse claims against Jimmy Savile and others have arrested a man in his 60s from London.

Scotland Yard says the man was held at 6.45am on suspicion of sexual offences and taken to a south London police station.

He was arrested as part of Operation Yewtree, the investigation into allegations of sex abuse surrounding Savile and others, and falls under the strand termed "others".

The man is the seventh person to be questioned as part of the probe and the sixth to be arrested.

It comes after publicist Max Clifford was questioned by detectives on Thursday, before refuting the allegations and pledging to do all he could to assist the investigation.

"On a personal level, they are very distressing for myself, my wife, my family and loved ones," he said.

"Anyone who really knew me all those years ago and those who have known me since will have no doubt that I would never act in the way that I have today been accused."

Also arrested in connection with the investigation have been Gary Glitter, comedian Freddie Starr, DJ Dave Lee Travis and a man in his 70s, reported to be former television producer Wilfred De'Ath.

The Metropolitan Police has said it is dealing with around 450 potential victims, the vast majority of whom claimed they had fallen prey to Savile.

The inquiry has been seperated into three strands: claims against Savile, those against Savile and others, and those against others.

More follows...

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boy Killed By 'Teen Driver' At Caravan Site

A seven-year-old boy has died after being hit by a BMW car allegedly driven by a teenager at a caravan site.

A 16-year-old boy is being questioned by police after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The accident happened at the Shirenewton caravan site, east of Cardiff, south Wales, at around 3pm on Saturday.

"A seven-year-old boy from the caravan site was apparently in collision with a red BMW 3 series estate," a South Wales Police spokesman said.

"The boy was taken to the University Hospital of Wales where he later died from his injuries. Specially trained police officers are supporting the family.

"A 16-year-old youth from the area, who is believed to have been driving the BMW at the time, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is in custody and inquiries are ongoing."

Anybody who witnessed the incident or who has any information is asked to contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Senior Bishops To Tweet Christmas Sermons

The country's senior bishops are set to tweet their Christmas Day sermons for the first time this year in a Christmas Tweet campaign.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams (@lambethpalace), the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu (@johnsentamu) and Archbishop Designate Justin Welby (@bishopofdurham) will also be joined by congregations and clergy from across the Church of England (@c--of--e).

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, churchgoers in the 16,000 parishes of the Church of England are being encouraged to live tweet the joy and meaning of Christmas to the 10 million UK Twitter users.

Rev Arun Arora (@RevArun), director of communications at the Archbishops' Council, said: "This is a brilliant opportunity for parishes to take the good news of the first Christmas out of churches and into people's lives and homes.

Current archbishop Rowan Williams will take part in the Christmas tweeting

"It is the first time that the joy and excitement of Christmas will have been broadcast widely on Twitter. There are large numbers of social media enthusiasts to be found in pews and pulpits across the country.

"This is an invitation for them to join together to celebrate the joy of the Christ Child coming into the world, taking the real meaning of Christmas to a new digital audience. Churches from all denominations will be invited to broadcast their services via Twitter."

A Twitter spokesperson said: "Twitter brings you closer to the things you are passionate about - and for millions of people across the globe that is faith.

Archbishop of York John Sentamu completes the line-up of senior clergy

"It is fantastic to see the Church of England embracing Twitter and using it to share their Christmas message with new audiences."

The campaign will use the hashtage #ChristmasStartsWithChrist, which goes live on Christmas Eve.

Tweets can be expected from carol, crib and midnight services, before carrying on into Christmas morning when the highlights of the sermons at Canterbury Cathedral, York Minster and Durham Cathedral will be tweeted.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Top Tories Launch Gay Marriage Campaign

London Mayor Boris Johnson and Education Secretary Michael Gove are among more than a dozen senior Conservatives who have launched a new group to campaign for gay marriage.

David Cameron supports the plans to allow same-sex weddings to be held in places of worship and has promised a free vote, but more than 100 Tory MPs are expected to oppose the change in the Commons next year.

The new group has been put together by Nick Herbert, the former police minister who resigned from the Government in September's reshuffle.

As well as Mr Johnson and Mr Gove, it includes Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, who is Catholic, Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt, an evangelical Christian, former Tory ministers Lord Fowler and Nicholas Soames and Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson.

In a letter to The Sunday Telegraph announcing the formation of the group, the 19 declared: "Marriage should be open to all, regardless of sexuality.

"We recognise that civil partnerships were an important step forward in giving legal recognition to same sex couples.

"But civil partnerships are not marriages, which express a particular and universally understood commitment."

Former police minister Nick Herbert is spearheading the campaign

Mr Herbert, who is in a civil partnership, said changing the law was "the right thing to do".

"It is precisely because marriage is such a uniquely important institution that we should ensure that all couples who want to enter into it, regardless of their sexuality, can do so," he added.

"Conservatives who believe in marriage should feel this most strongly."

However, Mr Herbert insisted it would be wrong to "compel religious organisations to marry same-sex couples against their will" and called for legal "safeguards" to prevent it.

Under the proposals, due to be fleshed out this week, churches and other venues will be allowed to "opt in" to holding civil marriage ceremonies.

Ministers will offer a guarantee that no institution will be forced to marry gay people on their premises - but Tory MPs and religious groups have questioned whether it would stand up to challenges under the Human Rights Act.

Legislation is expected to be introduced before Easter, and could take effect about a year later - with the first ceremonies likely be held in spring 2014.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Richard O'Dwyer Pays £20,000 Over Pirate Site

A student who ran a website where users could stream pirated films has "avoided a conviction" after paying £20,000 to US authorities, his lawyer has revealed.

Richard O'Dwyer, from Sheffield, ran the TVShack website hosting links to pirated films and TV programmes.

But after a court hearing in New York, the 24-year-old avoided extradition and conviction by signing a Deferred Prosecution Agreement.

As a result, he had to pay £20,000 to the authorities, representing the profits he made from TVShack between December 2007 and November 2009.

The money will be distributed among victims whose copyrights were infringed by TVShack.

Mr O'Dwyer's lawyer, Ben Cooper, said it was "a first" in extradition cases.

Mr O'Dwyer's mother complained of 'a sledgehammer to crack a nut'

"He has avoided extradition and will avoid a conviction. The solution reached is pragmatic and allows Richard to finish his final year at university and get on with his studies at a crucial time in his life.

"So far as we know this is a first in extradition cases - and a sensible solution for UK defendants faced with an ever-growing extra-territorial reach of US prosecutions.

"I expect this mechanism will be used by UK defendants in future US extradition cases now the precedent has been established."

Under the agreement, Mr O'Dwyer must also not break any US laws, "associate only with law abiding people" and work regularly in a lawful occupation.

His mother, Julia O'Dwyer, said "We would like to thank the prosecutors who have been willing to engage in dialogue and recognise that this conduct did not merit the extradition, incarceration and criminalisation of my son.

"However, had anyone communicated with us directly from the outset, raising their concerns, this matter could have been dealt with over two years ago without the threat of extradition, which in my view is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

"Sadly, the UK government was happy to allow Richard's extradition to proceed, just like they have with others similarly accused of conduct in Britain, committed without ever setting foot in the US.

"The Government is using a rotten law which was designed to bring fugitive offenders back to the place where a crime was committed, not for outsourcing our criminal justice system to another jurisdiction."

Earlier this year Home Secretary Theresa May approved Mr O'Dwyer's extradition, which he appealed against.

On November 28 a deal was struck at the High Court in London to avoid him being extradited and led to him signing the three-page deferred prosecution agreement.

The Sheffield Hallam university student could have faced jail if convicted of the allegations, which were brought following a crackdown by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

The agency claimed the TVShack.net website earned more than £147,000 ($230,000) in advertising revenue before US authorities obtained a warrant and seized the domain name in June 2010.

It is thought Mr O'Dwyer will return to the UK with his family today.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More