Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

Helicopter Fell 'Like A Stone Out Of The Sky'

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 30 November 2013 | 20.48

Eyewitnesses have described the "terrifying" moment when a police helicopter spun out of control and plunged into a bar which was hosting a live music gig.

Grace MacLean was in The Clutha in Stockwell Street, Glasgow, and said people became aware of the crash only when the ceiling of the venue started to cave in.

She told Sky News: "There was a band on, they were quite loud, and we just kinda heard a whoosh and some smoke.

"We looked around and no-one really knew what was going on. Everyone just carried on listening to the band.

A helicopter has crashed into the roof of a Glasgow pub Emergency services at the scene

"And then we kind of looked again and the roof was gradually coming down.

"Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is.

"No-one had a clue what was going on. There was no loud noise.

"People were helping each other out. Everyone started helping people who were hurt. People had some head injuries. Lots of people were covered in dust. There were lots of people shocked.

"No-one knew it was a helicopter crash until people told you."

Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy happened to be driving past the pub immediately after the crash.

A police helicopter has crashed into the roof of a Glasgow pub Firefighters on the roof of the pub where the helicopter crash-landed

"I jumped out and tried to help," he said. "There were people with injuries. Bad gashes to the head. Some were unconscious."

He described how a human chain formed to help pass unconscious casualties out of the pub so that "inch by inch, we could get the people out".

Scores of passers-by in the area ran to the venue after seeing or hearing the aircraft go down.

Connor Gillies, from Radio Clyde News, told Sky News of the "scenes of chaos" and "continuous stream of sirens" in the area on Friday evening.

Mr Gillies described seeing "blood on the shirt" of Mr Murphy, who he said was "clearly very shaken, very upset by the whole thing".

Wesley Shearer, who posted pictures on Twitter of the scene, said: "This is unbelievable. Just spent 20 minutes pulling people out of the bar."

Jan Hollands, who also tweeted pictures from the scene, said she heard the crash and described it as "scary".

Jim Murphy in Glasgow MP Jim Murphy helped people out of the venue

At 7am, one worried man was waiting at a police barrier hoping to hear of news about his father, who was in the pub on Friday night.

"My dad was sitting there with his lady friend. She went to the toilet and boom, it came straight through the roof … right on top of the spot where they were sitting.

He added: "That was the last I heard. I'm going to stay here … It cannot get much worse."

:: Police have issued an emergency telephone number for concerned relatives - 0800 092 0410.


20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Chopper Crash Was Third In Scotland

Helicopter Crashes Into Glasgow Pub

Updated: 1:46pm UK, Saturday 30 November 2013

Police have warned that the number of people killed when a police helicopter crashed into a busy Glasgow pub will rise in the "coming hours" after confirming one death.

The Chief Constable of Police Scotland said they were now dealing with a "search and recovery operation" after rescue teams worked through the night to try to pull people from the wreckage of The Clutha Vaults pub. 

But he said they were still hoping to find survivors alive in the remains of the building.

According to Sky News sources at least six people died when the helicopter crashed through the roof of the lively city nightspot, which was packed with more than 100 people watching a band, at 10.25pm on Friday.

Eyewitnesses have described the helicopter "falling like a stone" on to the roof, while some have suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub when the helicopter struck, told Sky News: "Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is."

People at the scene told how they worked to form a human chain to carry unconscious people out of the pub.

Among the helpers was Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy, who told Sky News: "I just saw dozens and dozens of people coming out of the pub. It is a horrible, horrible scene."

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday morning, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: "Sadly at this time I can confirm one fatality. We expect that number to increase over the coming hours."

He confirmed that a further 32 people had been taken to Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary with "multiple injuries".

Sir Stephen said that specialist teams were working to stabilise the building in a "difficult and sensitive" operation and said:  "We're still in a search and recovery phase, and as always our prayers are that it is successful and we do recover people alive.

He said: "There are people on the scene trying to make contact with anyone who may be alive... All we can do is confirm there has been one fatality but we are fearful there will be more."

Rescue teams had said they had contacted people inside the pub overnight but Sir Stephen could not say when the last contact had been made.

One worried relative at the scene of the crash, Alice Healy, told Sky News how she had not heard from her cousin who had been inside the pub when the aircraft hit.

Another, John McGarrigle, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his father, also called John, had died but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it's also St Andrew's Day and it's a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy."

He praised the "instinctive bravery of ordinary Glaswegians" who went to the rescue of those trapped inside the pub and the emergency services.

The police have given no details of what has happened to the crew of two officers and a civilian pilot on board the helicopter.

It is still unclear what caused the crash, with one eyewitness saying the aircraft "dropped like a stone" and police have now launched a full investigation into the crash under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. 

Investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) were on the scene on Saturday morning trying to piece together what had happened.

Aviation expert David Learmount, a pilot and safety editor at the aviation news website Flightglobal, told Sky News: "This type of helicopter is sophisticated and robust. It's a very modern aircraft. I think what has happened here is that you have had an aircraft that became either uncontrollable or partially controllable.

"We just don't know how much control the pilot did have in the final seconds of the flight. Something dramatic has probably suddenly occurred - probably some mechanical failure of some kind."

A tent had been erected on top of the pub on Saturday morning over the wreckage of the aircraft, whose rotor could be seen protruding from the roof.

The helicopter, a EC135 T2, which is widely used by the police, has a good safety record, with one incident in 2007 after which the AAIB asked manufacturers Eurocopter to look at a stability system switch.

Members of Esperanza, the band playing at the time of the tragedy, all escaped from the wreckage unharmed.

They posted on their Facebook site: "Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other. The police, ambulances (and) firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today in extremely difficult conditions.

"Our biggest concern is that everyone is found and can get the care and help they need."

In a statement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.

"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help.

"We have offered the Scottish Government our support in any way we can and we are all wishing a speedy recovery to those who are injured."

Labour leader Ed Miliband told Sky News: "There will be lots of people worried about their loved ones who are unaccounted for, and my thoughts are with them, and also with the people of Glasgow, who are an incredibly strong people, who showed last night in reaction when the helicopter hit, great bravery, great courage, great calm, in the midst of all this."

A number of St Andrew's Day events were being cancelled on Saturday morning as the tragic toll of Friday night's crash started to become apparent.

The Scottish Football Association said there would be a minute's silence at the 13 Scottish Cup games today.

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.


20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Glasgow Helicopter Crash: At Least Six Dead

Police have warned that the number of people killed when a police helicopter crashed into a busy Glasgow pub will rise in the "coming hours" after confirming one death.

The Chief Constable of Police Scotland said they were now dealing with a "search and recovery operation" after rescue teams worked through the night to try to pull people from the wreckage of The Clutha Vaults pub. 

But he said they were still hoping to find survivors alive in the remains of the building.

According to Sky News sources at least six people died when the helicopter crashed through the roof of the lively city nightspot, which was packed with more than 100 people watching a band, at 10.25pm on Friday.

Glasgow pub crash Firefighters on the roof of the pub

Eyewitnesses have described the helicopter "falling like a stone" on to the roof, while some have suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub when the helicopter struck, told Sky News: "Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is."

People at the scene told how they worked to form a human chain to carry unconscious people out of the pub.

Among the helpers was Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy, who told Sky News: "I just saw dozens and dozens of people coming out of the pub. It is a horrible, horrible scene."

A police helicopter has crashed into a Glasgow pub (Pic: Rupert Morris) The scene of the rescue operation on Friday night

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday morning, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: "Sadly at this time I can confirm one fatality. We expect that number to increase over the coming hours."

He confirmed that a further 32 people had been taken to Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary with "multiple injuries".

Sir Stephen said that specialist teams were working to stabilise the building in a "difficult and sensitive" operation and said:  "We're still in a search and recovery phase, and as always our prayers are that it is successful and we do recover people alive.

He said: "There are people on the scene trying to make contact with anyone who may be alive... All we can do is confirm there has been one fatality but we are fearful there will be more."

Rescue teams had said they had contacted people inside the pub overnight but Sir Stephen could not say when the last contact had been made.

Glasgow Those inside the pub gather outside after the crash Pic: Paul Agnew

One worried relative at the scene of the crash, Alice Healy, told Sky News how she had not heard from her cousin who had been inside the pub when the aircraft hit.

Another, John McGarrigle, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his father, also called John, had died but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it's also St Andrew's Day and it's a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy."

He praised the "instinctive bravery of ordinary Glaswegians" who went to the rescue of those trapped inside the pub and the emergency services.

The police have given no details of what has happened to the crew of two officers and a civilian pilot on board the helicopter.

It is still unclear what caused the crash, with one eyewitness saying the aircraft "dropped like a stone" and police have now launched a full investigation into the crash under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. 

Investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) were on the scene on Saturday morning trying to piece together what had happened.

Glasgow helicopter crash An EC135 T2 like the one that crashed into the Clutha Vaults

Aviation expert David Learmount, a pilot and safety editor at the aviation news website Flightglobal, told Sky News: "This type of helicopter is sophisticated and robust. It's a very modern aircraft. I think what has happened here is that you have had an aircraft that became either uncontrollable or partially controllable.

"We just don't know how much control the pilot did have in the final seconds of the flight. Something dramatic has probably suddenly occurred - probably some mechanical failure of some kind."

A tent had been erected on top of the pub on Saturday morning over the wreckage of the aircraft, whose rotor could be seen protruding from the roof.

The helicopter, a EC135 T2, which is widely used by the police, has a good safety record, with one incident in 2007 after which the AAIB asked manufacturers Eurocopter to look at a stability system switch.

Members of Esperanza, the band playing at the time of the tragedy, all escaped from the wreckage unharmed.

They posted on their Facebook site: "Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other. The police, ambulances (and) firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today in extremely difficult conditions.

"Our biggest concern is that everyone is found and can get the care and help they need."

Glasgow crash locator map The Clutha is situated in Stockwell Street in Glasgow

In a statement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.

"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help.

"We have offered the Scottish Government our support in any way we can and we are all wishing a speedy recovery to those who are injured."

Labour leader Ed Miliband told Sky News: "There will be lots of people worried about their loved ones who are unaccounted for, and my thoughts are with them, and also with the people of Glasgow, who are an incredibly strong people, who showed last night in reaction when the helicopter hit, great bravery, great courage, great calm, in the midst of all this."

A number of St Andrew's Day events were being cancelled on Saturday morning as the tragic toll of Friday night's crash started to become apparent.

The Scottish Football Association said there would be a minute's silence at the 13 Scottish Cup games today.

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.


20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ministers To Fund £300m Energy Bill Rebates

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Ministers are to fund a £300m plan for a £12 rebate on every domestic electricity bill in the country as part of a Government effort to combat a round of inflation-busting energy price hikes.

Sky News has learnt that the Government is finalising plans this weekend for a series of measures ahead of next week's autumn statement by the Chancellor, George Osborne.

The debate over energy costs has intensified in recent days as ministers have sought ways to regain the political initiative following the Labour leader Ed Miliband's pledge to impose an energy price freeze for 20 months if Labour wins the next general election.

Five of the 'Big Six' energy companies, including Centrica, the owner of British Gas, and Npower, have announced plans for substantial price increases in the last six weeks. The hikes have sparked a furious row in Westminster and the City about the industry's profitability.

Insiders said on Saturday that the Government package would include an agreement between the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and a group of companies known as distribution network operators, whose charges account for approximately 20% of consumers' energy bills.

The deal between ministers and these companies, which include National Grid, would involve restructuring their cost-profile over the 15-year period during which they have set out their investment plans.

This measure is expected to lead to an average of £5 off customers' bills, although the precise amount will vary by region, with some parts of the country not seeing any such saving, a source said.

Details of the package of measures could be announced as early as Sunday following intense Whitehall horse-trading over what has become one of the Government's most pressing domestic challenges.

The £300m rebate will be funded by altering the funding of the Warm Home Discount, which funds one-off electricity discounts for thousands of vulnerable customers. This is expected to be transferred to general taxation rather than being funded by the energy companies.

A Whitehall source said the £12-per-account rebate would require licence changes to be overseen by Ofgem, the energy regulator, but that this was unlikely to prove a significant obstacle.

DECC is understood to be keen for the £12 rebate to be clearly marked on consumers' bills and is extracting assurances from the big energy suppliers that they will agree to this.

The largest cut to energy bills is expected to be generated by a roughly £40-per-household saving on a green levy called the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO), which was introduced only this year.

The cost of the ECO, which costs the major suppliers about £1.3bn annually, is to be lowered by lengthening a programme of providing home insulation to 2017.

According to a letter from the Government to energy companies cited in reports this weekend, ministers want to introduce legislation to implement the changes.

"The government intends to make changes to the ECO order with a view to extending the period over which the obligation will run and reducing the expected cost of compliance. The government will consult on detailed proposals shortly and will subsequently look to introduce the necessary legislation as soon as possible," the letter said.

"The changes include extending ECO beyond its current March 2015 deadline. The government's specific proposal in this respect is that a new binding target should be set for March 2017."

David Cameron and Nick Clegg are understood to have been discussing the publication of a joint article in a Sunday newspaper to announce the moves, although it is unclear whether that plan will go ahead.

Ed Davey, the energy and climate change secretary, has informed the energy industry of the full package of proposals in recent days although sources insisted that they were not yet finalised.

The Big Six are expected to announce price cuts or reductions to their planned price increases as soon as the Government's proposals are unveiled.

The overhaul of the ECO will represent something of a u-turn by the Government. The levy places legal obligations on the larger energy suppliers to deliver energy-efficiency measures to domestic energy customers.

It operates alongside the Green Deal and is designed to help people make energy efficiency improvements to buildings by allowing them to pay the costs through their energy bills rather than up-front.

On Friday, Downing Street denied a report that it was pressing the Big Six to agree to freeze prices until after the next election, underlining Mr Cameron's sensitivity about Labour's recent eye-catching policies.

In a statement, Jonathan Reynolds MP, the Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister, said:

"The Energy Company Obligation is David Cameron's scheme. He only introduced it this year and a few months ago he was even boasting that it was bigger than previous energy efficiency schemes.

"Labour has consistently said that ECO should be reformed to make it better value for money and targeted at those in fuel poverty. But what the public really needs is a Labour government implementing a price freeze until 2017 and resetting the energy market so that it works for the long term."

A Downing Street spokeswoman declined to comment while the Treasury could not be reached on Saturday.

A DECC spokeswoman said: "Government is looking closely at the impact of green levies on consumer bills and how the measures they support are paid for. Details of this review will be announced by the autumn statement."


20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Simon Gittany Guilty Of High-Rise Murder

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 27 November 2013 | 20.49

A man has been found guilty of throwing his fiancee off the balcony of their high-rise apartment in central Sydney.

Sydney murder trial Lisa Harnum Ms Harnum was planning to leave Gittany

Simon Gittany was accused of hurling Lisa Harnum from their 15th floor home in a fit of "apoplectic" rage in July 2011 after discovering she planned to leave him and return to her native Canada.

Gittany, 40, who was supported in court by his new girlfriend Rachelle Louise, had maintained throughout the trial that Ms Harnum, 30, had slipped and fallen after climbing over a railing.

He said he had tried to save Ms Harnum, a former ballerina.

But Justice Lucy McCallum said the lack of Ms Harnum's fingerprints on the glass barrier made his claim implausible.

"At many times in his evidence, the accused struck me as being a person playing a role, telling a story which fitted with the objective evidence, but which did no more than that," she said.

Gittany barely reacted in court as the verdict was read out.

Sydney murder trial Simon Gittany Gittany with his new girlfriend, Rachelle Louise, who screamed at the judge

His current girlfriend screamed at the judge "You're wrong", and stormed out of the packed courtroom. Ms Louise's outburst continued after she left the court.

Delivering the verdict in the judge-only trial, Justice McCallum said witness Josh Rathmell, who had been walking past the apartment building on his way to work when he saw Ms Harnum fall, gave a compelling account.

At the time, Mr Rathmell thought he had seen Gittany "unload" a piece of luggage or rubbish and continued on his way. It was only later he realised it was a body and contacted the police.

Justice McCallum said while Gittany and Ms Harnum had loved each other, there was no doubt the accused was "controlling, dominating and at times abusive".

"I am satisfied by the end of July 2011, those tensions had reached a point of crisis," she said.

Sydney murder trial Gittany and Ms Harnum's apartment was in central Sydney

The New South Wales Supreme Court heard that Gittany had secretly monitored Ms Harnum's phone and had installed CCTV cameras inside and outside their apartment.

One of the cameras showed Gittany restraining Ms Harnum outside the flat and then dragging her back inside on the night she died. Ms Harnum was heard yelling: "Please help me, help me, God help me."

Ms Harnum's mother said there were no winners in the case. Her only hope was that her daughter's death would be a powerful wake-up call to other young women.

"Young women who are caught up in situations like my daughter found herself in need a voice," Joan Harnum said.

Gittany, who was held in custody for the final weeks of the trial, will be sentenced in February.


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Bedroom Tax' Leaves Disabled Fearing Eviction

By Jason Farrell, Sky News Correspondent

Thousands of disabled people are cutting back on food and heating to pay for the so-called "bedroom tax", according to a group of leading charities.

The chief executives of leading groups including Disability Rights UK, Scope, Carers UK, The Royal National Institute of Blind People and the Council For Disabled Children say the policy is having a "devastating impact" on people with disabilities.

More than 50 organisations have signed a letter to Iain Duncan Smith calling for immediate action to exempt disabled people from the Spare Room Subsidy.

They claim that it is harder for people in adapted housing to move and that "it is hitting disabled people who need an extra room for essential home adaptations or equipment which enable them to live independently".

The letter to the Department of Work and Pensions states: "We have been deeply frustrated at reports that disabled people and their families are protected from this policy.

Campaigners Protest Against The Government's Impending 'Bedroom' Tax The introduction of the "bedroom tax" has proved controversial

"The stark evidence since the policy was implemented in April clearly shows they are not.

"None of these groups are exempt and our organisations are seeing the devastating impact it is having on those who now face a shortfall in their rent as a result of the changes."

The Government does offer help with extra discretionary housing payments (DHPs) for disabled social housing tenants.

However, the letter points to research conducted by the Papworth Trust which showed that one in three disabled people applying for DHPs are refused, the same number as non-disabled people, and that 90% of disabled people refused a DHP are already cutting back on food, drink, household bills and medication or therapies.

Iain Duncan Smith Charities have written to Iain Duncan Smith about the bedroom tax

The letter claims that carers and families of disabled children are "being forced deeper and deeper into debt and falling behind on their rent, putting them at risk of eviction".

Sky News spoke to 47-year-old Heather Simpson from Battersea who suffers from a degenerative disease and needs an adapted property with wheelchair access and a stair-lift.

She has been told by her local housing association that it is unable to find her an appropriate smaller home. 

Come December she is worried she may have to find an additional £80 a month to cover her spare room.

She told Sky News: "I'm stuck basically, there's nowhere for me to go.

"I understand there's overcrowding, but there's nowhere for me to go. So I'll just get into debt."

Spare room Council tenants judged to have extra bedrooms now receive less benefit

In a letter sent to Heather last week, her Housing Association, Peabody, said it had 1,600 applicants for rehousing and only 145 places.

In a statement, Peabody told Sky News: "The Government's under-occupancy charge has a significant impact on vulnerable people, and we are working with other housing associations and councils to try and increase the options for people needing to move …

"We would like to see the Government take action to mitigate the impact of this policy particularly for the most vulnerable residents in our homes."  

A Department of Work and Pensions spokesperson told Sky News: "We are determined to support those who might need extra help through these necessary reforms.

"That is why we set aside £190m this year to do precisely this, with £25m specifically for disabled people living in specially adapted properties.

"The courts have ruled we are meeting our equality duties to disabled people who are affected by the policy.

"The removal of the spare room subsidy means we still pay the majority of most claimants' rent, but the taxpayer can no longer afford to pay the £500m cost of claimants' extra bedrooms."


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lostprophets Ian Watkins: Appeal For 'Victims'

Police have appealed for possible further victims of Ian Watkins to come forward after the ex-Lostprophets singer admitted a string of sex offences.

They included attempting to rape a woman's baby in a case the lead officer called "the most shocking and harrowing child abuse evidence I have ever seen".

Detectives are continuing their investigation into the Welsh rock singer, 36, amid speculation there could be more victims in the UK and overseas.

Officers from South Wales, where he lived, have been working with agencies including Interpol, the NSPCC and the Department for Homeland Security in the US - one of the countries where Lostprophets, who split up last month, toured.

Watkins also confessed to aiding and abetting another woman to sexually abuse her own child.

And he pleaded guilty to possessing and making indecent photographs of children as well as having extreme pornographic material involving bestiality on his computer hard drive.

He had faced 24 sex offence charges but admitted 11 at the last minute as his trial was due to begin at Cardiff Crown Court alongside the two women, who pleaded guilty to 13 offences in total between them.

Ian Watkins V Festival 2011 Chelmsford - Day 1 Watkins is due to be sentenced in December

Lead investigator Detective Chief Inspector Peter Doyle said: "There is no doubt in my mind that Ian Watkins exploited his celebrity status in order to abuse young children."

He added Tuesday's "outcome does not mark the end of our investigations and we will work tirelessly to identify any other victims or witnesses and seek the justice they deserve".

He went on: "Above all this investigation has been focussed on the protection of children and my thoughts today are with those victims.

"We would encourage anyone who has been affected by this case or other cases of child abuse to contact South Wales Police on 029 20634184 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000."

Meanwhile, a child expert has warned the sex abuse of young children is increasing in number and severity as the age of defenceless victims continues to go down.

Des Mannion, NSPCC Wales national head of service, spoke of his "horror" as the extent of Watkins' secret abuse was made public.

"The desire to sexually abuse small babies is something most of us find too horrific to comprehend," he said.

"However within the significant rise in the number of child abuse images being distributed online over the past year, agencies have noted both an increase in their severity and a significant decline in the ages of the children involved."


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ding Family Murders: Anxiang Du Guilty

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

A man who killed a family of four with "ruthless efficiency" has been found guilty of murder by a jury at Northampton Crown Court.

Anxiang Du, 54, showed no mercy as he stabbed the family a total of 51 times.

The Chinese businessman wanted revenge after a lengthy legal battle with the Ding family left him with an £88,0000 bill and facing financial ruin.

University professor Jifeng 'Jeff' Ding, his wife Ge 'Helen' Chui and their daughters Nancy, 18 and 12-year-old Alice were 'slaughtered' in their own home at Wootton in Northamptonshire on April 29 2011, the day of the royal wedding.

Anxiang Du left a farewell note to his wife and travelled to the home with a kitchen knife.

Mr and Mrs Ding died in their kitchen. The killer then went upstairs to find their two daughters cowering in a bedroom. The court heard that he showed them no mercy.

As the family lay dead, Du stole their car and went looking for another former business associate, but he wasn't at home.

The killer drove to London and took a bus to Paris before travelling to Spain. He then took a boat to Morocco.

He was eventually tracked down to a building site and was extradited to the UK in February this year to stand trial.

Jeff Ding's brother Jee-Shang said: "I want to ask him. How could you stab a knife into an innocent girls heart, not once but twice?"

It is possible that Anxiang Du could have been caught much sooner. A screaming 999 call from Nancy's mobile was traced to the wrong house.

Acting on other information officers visited the house two days later - but pushed a card through the door when there was no answer. All four lay dead inside.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Davies from Northamptonshire Police said: "I recognise people will look at the 'three 9s' call in particular and be critical of that. We've dealt with that, the Independent Police Complaints Commission were involved in an extensive investigation.

"The important aspect for the investigation team was to deal with the challenges we were presented with. We did have several challenges to overcome and make sure we identified where he was residing, in this case Tangiers and get him back to the UK to face justice."

Anxiang Du had been involved with the Ding's in a herbal medicine business. But that "turned sour" descending into a ten year legal battle.

The day before the killings Du was served with an injunction preventing him for dissipating his assets.

Post mortem's revealed the terrible extent of his revenge. Mr Ding was stabbed 23 times, his wife 13 times. Nancy had 11 stab wounds and Alice had four.

There was never any dispute about Du's responsibility for the killings. His fingerprints were found in blood at the scene. But he denied four counts of murder, hoping instead to be convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Helen Ding's father Ding Zuyao Cui said: "The evidence being presented in court felt like I was being stabbed in the heart.

"The 999 call sounded like it was asking me to help, but I wasn't there. So it is very sad."

Helen's Xin Cui brother said: "This has really hurt me. I am really angry.

Police said it is unlikely the Dings could have been saved, even if the emergency call had been handled differently.


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scottish Independence: £600 Better Off Claim

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 26 November 2013 | 20.49

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

Better childcare, education and a reformed, fairer tax system are being promised under an independent Scotland.

Laying out his blueprint for Scotland's future, the First Minister, Alex Salmond, also said that each Scot would be £600 better off.

It is a figure which sharply contrasts with a Treasury analysis, which claims independence would cost the average Scot £1,000 in tax.

But at the launch event in Glasgow, Mr Salmond has robustly argued that Scotland's public finances are "healthier than those of the UK as a whole".

Thousands of pro-independence campaigners march through Edinburgh Independence supporters say it will be fairer to 'divorce' the UK

As a result of this, the Scottish National Party (SNP) blueprint says: "There will be no requirement for an independent Scotland to raise the general rate of taxation to fund existing levels of spending."

In the 670-page document entitled Scotland's Future - Your Guide Mr Salmond has vowed to end controversial and unpopular welfare reforms introduced by Westminster, including the bedroom tax and the Universal Credit System.

He has also pledged an independent Scotland would provide free childcare for all pre-school children. It also promised a cap on payday lenders - one policy he has in common with the Chancellor George Osborne.

Scotland's Future pinpoints "three overriding reasons" for Scotland to leave the UK - it will create a more democratic, prosperous and fair state.

Speaking at the launch Mr Salmond said: "Our vision is of an independent Scotland regaining its place as an equal member of the family of nations. However, we do not seek independence as an end in itself, but rather as a means to changing Scotland for the better.

"We know we have the people, the skills and resources to make Scotland a more successful country. What we need now are the economic tools and powers to build a more competitive, dynamic economy and create more jobs.

"This guide contains policies which offer nothing less than a revolution in employment and social policy for Scotland, with a transformational change in childcare at the heart of those plans.

Thousands of pro-independence campaigners march through Edinburgh Pro-independence supporters march through Edinburgh in September

"Our proposals will make it far easier for parents to balance work and family life, and will allow many more people, especially women, to move into the workforce, fostering economic growth and helping to boost revenues - which will in itself help pay for the policy.

"With these policies, we can begin the job of undoing the damage caused by the vast social disparities which have seen the UK become one of the most unequal societies in the developed world."

The SNP also plans to keep the pound in a currency union with the Bank of England, although opponents claim there is no guarantee that the rest of the UK would find that acceptable. 

The paper states "the pound is Scotland's currency just as much as it is the rest of the UK's" saying that an independent Scotland would also make a "substantial contribution" to a "sterling zone".

It also states that  the membership of an independent Scotland in the European Union and Nato would continue, although critics point out that this cannot be guaranteed.

Under the proposals, if the people of Scotland vote for independence in a referendum then Scottish Independence Day would be March 24, 2016. 

The date will resonate with the Scottish people as on March 24, 1707, the Act of Union, which joined the parliaments of England and Scotland, was signed.

Former chancellor Alistair Darling, who is also leader of the Better Together Campaign, accused Mr Salmond of asking people to buy a "one-way ticket to a very uncertain destination".

He said: "They have ducked the big questions like on currency: how can we guarantee to keep the pound and if we don't what currency will we use, will we have our own or will we join the Euro?

"Debt, defence, welfare, pensions: they haven't answered any of those questions and you would have thought that at this time we would get the answers we are entitled to."

He said that the referendum vote on September 16 next year would be closer than people thought - with 1 million of the 4 million electorate still undecided.


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Canoe Conman John Darwin Faces Jail Over Trip

Fraudster John Darwin, who faked his own death in an canoe accident, could be returned to prison after he left the UK to meet a blonde in Ukraine without permission.

The 63-year-old was pictured in The Sun newspaper on a date with a woman in her 20s in the town of Sumy - 1,500 miles from his home in Hartlepool.

He was freed early on licence in January 2011 after being sentenced in 2008 to serve six years and three months for fraud.

That meant he was not allowed to leave the UK without Probation Service permission until all of his sentence was served.

A source close to the case said: "He is facing a return to prison for travelling abroad without permission."

It is believed Darwin, who faked his death in 2002 so his then-wife Anne could claim hundreds of thousands of pounds from insurance policies and pension schemes, is still in Ukraine.

The Probation Service would not speak about individual cases, but a spokesman said: "Any offender subject to licence supervision is required to gain permission from probation to travel outside of the UK; permission is only granted in exceptional circumstances.

pg john darwin & wife missing canoe John and Anne Darwin, who were jailed for the swindle, are now divorced

"Any offender who travels without this permission will be subject to recall to custody.

"In these circumstances the Probation Service works closely with the police to implement the recall."

According to The Sun, Darwin and his date, a local woman named Anna, enjoyed a two-hour meal assisted by a translator, but the evening turned sour when he was confronted by a reporter.

The newspaper said Darwin first made contact with the woman over the internet.

Darwin and his wife, from Seaton Carew, were jailed at Teesside Crown Court in 2008 for the swindle, which deceived the police, a coroner, financial institutions and even their sons Mark and Anthony.

Darwin admitted fraud so received a slightly shorter sentence than Anne, who denied the offences. They have now divorced.

After faking his own death, Darwin continued to live in secret with his wife before they escaped to Panama to start a new life.

But in December 2007 Darwin walked into a London police station claiming he had amnesia and was reunited with his stunned sons.

His wife, then still in Panama, initially also claimed to be surprised - until a photograph emerged of them posing together.


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tiger Attacks Keeper At Steve Irwin's Zoo

A tiger handler is being treated in hospital after being mauled during a show at the zoo started by Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.

The 30-year-old was bitten on the neck and shoulder when the tiger became "over excited" during play, Australia Zoo says.

The senior handler, who had raised the animal since it was a cub, remained in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

He suffered two large puncture wounds and was conscious when he was flown to Brisbane from the zoo, which is on the Sunshine Coast.

He was reportedly attacked in front of a large crowd.

A Sumatran tiger The zoo keeps both Bengal (pictured) and Sumatran tigers. Pic: File

The zoo's director Wes Mennon said co-workers saw the attack and helped drag the victim, who has not been named, to safety.

"The tigers get exited ... when they're playing, that's what they do and unfortunately," he said.

"It's got a bit too exited and just grabbed him in that spot and let go pretty much immediately once the other handlers grabbed him.

"Our emergency response team were on the scene immediately. They acted professionally and calmly. My hat goes off to them."

Andrew Haggerty, a doctor at air rescue charity RACQ CareFlight, said the handler's injuries could have been much worse.

"The neck is a very complex area and contains lots of serious structures including blood vessels, and perhaps most importantly the airway," he said.

"Any bleeding in the area itself could cause significant complications."

Helicopter pilot Alan Carstens, who was called to the scene to take the man to hospital, said it was a strange afternoon.

Steve Irwin poses at Australia Zoo September 16, 2006 Steve Irwin at the zoo in 2006

"I honestly thought someone was kidding me, they said, 'It's a tiger attack', I said 'no', but it was," he told reporters.

"We landed just outside the African (enclosure) area, right next door to where the tigers are.

"I waited with the chopper, I was looking at a tortoise straight opposite me, I thought it was a rock initially, then it started moving."

Twitter user dbass9 posted a picture of a media throng at the zoo, saying: "I saw the tiger attack at Australia Zoo today. 

"Things went from playful to violent instantly. I hope that poor fella recovers quickly."

Australia Zoo, which keeps Bengal and Sumatran tigers, said it was conducting a full investigation into the attack.

The zoo was made famous by Irwin, who starred in the hugely successful wildlife documentary series The Crocodile Hunter.

It is now run by his family, including widow Terri.


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Plebgate: Officer Charged With Misconduct

Plebgate: CPS Statement In Full

Updated: 1:28pm UK, Tuesday 26 November 2013

A police officer has been charged with misconduct over the "Plebgate" affair, which led to the resignation of former chief whip Andrew Mitchell. Here is the statement from Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions, in full:

We have considered all of the evidence in this case, including previously unseen, unedited CCTV footage from Downing Street, not referred to by the media.

Taking it all into account, including the accounts of the officer at the gate of Downing Street and that of Andrew Mitchell MP before, during and after the incident, we have found that there is insufficient evidence to show that the officer at the gate lied in his account.

The CPS has also found that there is insufficient evidence to show that Mr Mitchell was the victim of a conspiracy of misinformation.

With insufficient evidence to show that the officer at the gate lied in his account, we must consider other matters, as set out below, on that basis.

I have, however, authorised one officer to be charged with one count of misconduct in public office. I will set out the decision making below.

The evidence.

The evidence has been reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors by a Specialist Prosecutor in the Special Crime & Counter Terrorism Division under the personal supervision of Malcolm McHaffie, the Deputy Head of Division. I have in addition sought the advice of an experienced Queen's Counsel.

The allegations made by Mr Mitchell led to an extensive police investigation involving hundreds of witness statements from police and from staff at Downing Street.

Previously unseen and unedited CCTV evidence has been considered very carefully. In addition there has been a detailed enquiry into emails, text messages, social messaging and telephone contact between numerous police officers and members of the public. The locations of mobile telephones have been analysed using cell site technology. We have considered evidence in relation to 14 individuals including 10 police officers, a member of the media and three members of the public.

Downing Street is a high-risk target that is guarded at all times by armed police officers and protected by two pairs of main security gates. A legal order made in 2008 because of the fear of terrorist attack means that no-one may use the street unless they are authorised or directed by a police officer. Officers were instructed only to open the main gates for motor vehicles and there was a publicised policy to that effect.

The evidence shows that on 19 September 2012 there was an incident at the gates of Downing Street between Mr Mitchell and an armed police officer who, in accordance with his instructions, declined to allow Mr Mitchell to exit on his bicycle via the two pairs of main security gates, which were closed. The officer instead directed Mr Mitchell to a nearby large pedestrian gate which he opened for Mr Mitchell.

Both Mr Mitchell and the gate officer describe bad language from Mr Mitchell.

The officer describes the following words from Mr Mitchell:

"You should know your f***ing place, you don't run this f***ing government, you're f***ing plebs."

Mr Mitchell describes it as follows:

"I thought you guys were supposed to f***ing help us".

Although the exact wording of what was said is disputed, both the officer and Mr Mitchell say that the officer warned Mr Mitchell for swearing and Mr Mitchell said he would pursue the matter the next day.

There are no independent accounts of what was said.

The evidence shows that after the incident at the gate the officer immediately told other officers there what had happened; he then made a written note and telephoned a superior officer to inform him. About an hour and a half later, once back at base, he compiled an email about the incident which he sent to his managers and colleagues. The email is what has previously been described as the police 'log'.

Much of the press reporting to date has assumed that the CCTV recordings show that the gate officer lied about the words used during the incident. The CCTV footage that has been aired publicly was edited and did not show the full picture.

We have been supplied with previously unseen and unedited footage of the incident from five different cameras. The CCTV footage does not determine the issue completely as it could be consistent with either the accounts of the officer on the gate or Mr Mitchell. It is clear from the footage that there was sufficient time for the words to have been said either as described by the gate officer or as described by Mr Mitchell, and this has been confirmed by an expert. The fact that an expert has confirmed what is possible does not of itself determine the issue. Both the officer and Mr Mitchell agree that the officer warned him about swearing and that Mr Mitchell made a further remark on leaving. There is no sound recording and the faces of the officer and Mr Mitchell cannot be seen sufficiently clearly. It does show that there are a small number of members of the public present immediately in front of the gate

at the relevant time, but what cannot be seen is how many people were immediately off camera but in the vicinity, at least some of whom then quickly came into view. This is consistent with the officer's account that several members of the public were present. No officer ever mentioned "crowds" being present - this was first mentioned in Channel 4 News/Dispatches programmes in December 2012 and February 2013 - which showed edited footage that was less than clear in a number of regards.

Our determination in relation to the incident also involved careful consideration of evidence concerning conduct and communications by officers and Mr Mitchell both before and after the incident, including the fact that Mr Mitchell's account has varied since the incident.

The claims made in the Sunday Times about a whistle-blower were first made to the police by David Davis MP and Mr Mitchell. They have declined to assist the police by naming them.

Our conclusions

Having carefully considered the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors we have reached the following conclusions:

1) Events at the gate

There is insufficient evidence to say that the police officer on the gate lied (offence considered: misconduct in public office).

There is insufficient evidence to prove that any officer, alone or with any other officer(s), fabricated a false allegation against Mr Mitchell (offence considered: misconduct in public office).

There is insufficient evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy (offence considered: conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office).

2) Information leaks

a) It is clear that information was leaked when an officer, who was unconnected to the incident, sent a copy of the gate officer's email to the media. There is no evidence that this officer requested or received any payment or reward.

We have carefully considered all the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the CPS Guidance for prosecutors on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media.

We considered whether there is sufficient evidence to give rise to a realistic prospect of conviction for either a breach of the Data Protection Act s55 or misconduct in public office.

This type of conduct raises issues in relation to the right to freedom of expression, including the right to freely impart and receive information, and these are important rights enshrined in our law. In all the circumstances of this case we have concluded that a jury is likely to decide that it was in the public interest for the events at the gate to be made public and it therefore follows that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute any suspect in relation to this leak.

b) In two instances there is evidence to show that false information was sent, but not by police officers. There is information, but no admissible evidence, which suggests that an officer's partner contacted the media, introducing the word "morons" into the press. However, that person is not a public officer and therefore cannot be considered for an offence of misconduct in public office. There is no evidence that any officer has ever claimed that Mr Mitchell used the word "moron".

In the second instance an unconnected member of the public sent an email to the chairman of the Conservative Party and this was later passed to Mr Mitchell. The email was sent six days after the incident, on 25 September, when the matter was already public. The correspondent claimed to have witnessed and filmed the incident and said that the word "pleb" was not used. The evidence is clear that this email is a fabrication and was in fact based on media coverage, but again, that person is not a public officer and cannot be considered for an offence of misconduct in public office.

c) In addition, two officers were considered for offences of perverting the course of justice in terms of the statements they provided to this investigation, but there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

The conclusions we have reached do not in any way condone the actions of those involved in this case.

The question of whether proceedings under police regulations should follow against any officer is a matter for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Metropolitan Police Service. The fact that an individual has not been charged with a criminal offence does not prevent such proceedings.

3) Criminal proceedings

We have also received evidence in relation to PC Keith Wallis who sent an email to the deputy chief whip, John Randall who was his MP, saying that he had witnessed the incident.

We have decided, having carefully considered the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, that there is sufficient evidence to charge PC Wallis with misconduct in a public office and that it is in the public interest  to do so. I should make it clear the misconduct allegation relates to evidence that PC Wallis falsely claimed to have witnessed the incident, not to how the incident was described in his account.

PC Keith Wallis has been charged and is required to attend Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 December 2013.

PC Keith Wallis now stands accused of a criminal offence and is entitled to a fair trial. Care should be taken that nothing is reported which may prejudice his trial."

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE

MISCONDUCT IN PUBLIC OFFICE, contrary to Common Law.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE

Keith Wallis between the 19th day of September 2012 and 16th December 2012 wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted himself when the holder of a public office, namely a police constable in the Metropolitan Police Service, in that he falsely claimed to have witnessed an incident dated 19th September 2012 and arranged for his nephew to support his false claims.


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Big Six Energy Firms Face New Profits Storm

Written By Unknown on Senin, 25 November 2013 | 20.49

The so-called 'big six' firms enjoyed an average profit margin of 20% for energy generation in their last financial year.

The revelation, made by Ofgem following its analysis of the companies' accounts for 2012, prompted the regulator to suggest it may insist on greater clarity in future to ensure that the profits were a fair reflection of investment in future power generation.

The watchdog found that the average profit margin for supply to household customers was 4.3% - in line with the claims made by the industry.

But it calculated the average profit margin made in generating energy in 2012 was 20% - slightly lower on the previous two years - but still high in the context of rising household bills.

The study sought to explain the disparity between supply margin and that for generation by pointing out that the generation part of a business needed significant sums of money over the long term to invest in building new power stations.

Nuclear power station planned at Hinkley Point, Somerset. Pic: EDF Energy EDF is involved in the planned new Hinkley Point nuclear power station

Ofgem said it was now considering whether companies needed to provide additional profit measures in generation which took account of capital investment to help ensure greater transparency.

The big six - SSE, E.ON, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, npower and Centrica's residential arm British Gas - have faced a backlash from politicians and consumer groups since the latest round of bill increases - of up to 11% - was announced.

Of the firms, only E.ON is yet to confirm its increase ahead of the coming winter.

Ofgem's report follows analysis of statements the companies have had to submit annually since 2009 as part of efforts to subject the firms to greater financial scrutiny.

Energy company RWE npower's gas-fired Pembroke Power Station npower's Pembroke power station replaced old gas capacity

The statements showed that across all six suppliers, overall profits for energy supply and generation fell from £3.9bn in 2011 to £3.7bn in 2012.

However, profits in supply to households and businesses increased from £1.25bn in 2011 to £1.6bn.

Energy companies have insisted their profits are fair, reflect wholesale costs and the country's need to invest in future supply.

Amid the criticism of the industry over the latest rises to bills, the firms highlighted the growing cost to households from so-called green levies.

The environmental and social charges could be placed under general taxation by the Government in the coming Autumn Statement.

The firms have pledged to cut back the rises to bills to match any reduction to the charges confirmed by the Chancellor on December 5.

More follows...


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

RBS To Probe Claims It Drove Firms To Collapse

The Royal Bank of Scotland has hired a law firm to investigate allegations the bank deliberately drove small businesses to collapse for its own gain.

The claims are contained in a dossier, compiled by government adviser Lawrence Tomlinson, which has now been passed to City regulators by Business Secretary Vince Cable, as Sky News revealed at the weekend.

The report suggests RBS - the largest lender in the UK to small firms - drove businesses to collapse so it could buy back their assets at rock-bottom prices.

Chancellor George Osborne has described the allegations as "shocking", but small business campaigners say anecdotal evidence suggests the practice was widespread.

A spokeswoman for RBS - 80% owned by the taxpayer - confirmed that it had now hired law firm Clifford Chance to look into the claims.

Vince Cable at the Lib Dem conference Mr Cable referred the claims to City watchdogs

Mr Tomlinson, who has been compiling the report independently for the past six months, focuses allegations on the turnaround division at RBS - its Global Restructuring Group (GRG).

The division handles loans classed as being risky and is understood to have the power to scrap loan deals, impose inflated interest rates and charge hefty penalties.

But the report alleges that firms not necessarily in immediate financial distress are "engineered" into GRG, sometimes through small technical breaches of loan terms, such as late filing of minor financial information.

They are then hit with exorbitant rates and fees, which in some cases cause them to collapse, allowing RBS to buy their property and assets on the cheap for the benefit of its West Register property arm, according to Mr Tomlinson.

His report claims that fees charged by GRG can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

One business that submitted evidence to Mr Tomlinson said that it forked out £256,000 in fees alone while in GRG.

Another said that RBS made them pay an immediate sum of £40,000 to continue borrowing terms with the group.

Mr Tomlinson said he was calling for "immediate action to stop this unscrupulous treatment of businesses".

He told Sky News: The main conclusion you could come to out of this is RBS was doing this for their own gain ... they just ended up with properties quite cheap and they'd made a lot of fees and extra interest while the business was on its way down."

In response, RBS said it was "already committed" to an inquiry on how it treats small firms, following recommendations by Sir Andrew Large whose separate report released on Monday highlighted a potential conflict of interest in the bank's business lending activities.

Sir Andrew, the former deputy governor of the Bank of England, also found that RBS failed to understand even the basic needs of its small business customers.

An RBS spokesman responded to the Tomlinson report by saying that GRG's role was key to helping the bank face up to its commercial property "mistakes" made in the run-up to the financial crisis.

Royal Bank of Scotland branch RBS is the largest lender in the UK to small firms

He said: "In the boom years leading up to the financial crisis, the over-heated property development market became a major threat to the UK economy.

"RBS did more than its fair share to fuel this and commercial property lending was one of the key drivers of our near collapse as valuations rapidly plummeted.

"GRG successfully turns around most of the businesses it works with, but in all cases is working with customers at a time of significant stress in their lives.

"Not all businesses that encounter serious financial trouble can be saved."

The report found a "disproportionately high" number of complaints against RBS, but also hinted at similar practices at other banks.

Fellow part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group was also accused of concentrating on short-term gain at the expense of its business customers but the bank was angered by its inclusion in the dossier - suggesting there was no basis for such a claim.

Its statement said: "The specific practices discussed in the report are attributed to another bank and are not a reflection of Lloyds Banking Group's approach."

The report said Santander UK was among a few banks that were praised by small business customers for their treatment."

However, the campaign group Bully-Banks - which lobbies on behalf of small and medium-sized firms - claimed the behaviour of the wider banking sector was damaging the UK's economic recovery.

Its director, Jeremy Roe, told Sky News: "All of the major high street banks have major issues with the way they have conducted themselves.

"It is the bank's attitude to this sector that is a major cause of concern."


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dentists Slit Daughter And Servant's Throats

A wealthy dentist couple have been found guilty of murdering their teenage daughter and servant by slitting their throats.

Rajesh and Nupur Talwar burst into tears when the verdict was read out in a packed courtroom - in a case which has gripped India.

"We are deeply disappointed, hurt and anguished for being convicted for a crime that we have not committed. We refuse to feel defeated and will continue to fight for justice," the Talwars said in a written statement.

The couple face life in prison and possibly the death penalty when Judge Shyam Lal hands down his sentence on Tuesday.

They had been charged with killing 14-year-old Aarushi and Nepalese employee Hemraj, 45, at their home in a New Delhi suburb in 2008.

Investigators alleged Aarushi was murdered in a fit of rage when her parents found her with the servant in an "objectionable" situation.

The trial heard the affluent couple slit their victims' throats "with clinical precision".

Lawyer Manoj Kumar Rai, who was inside the court to hear the verdict, told reporters: "They have been found guilty of murder. They have been found guilty of the destruction of evidence."

Rajesh Talwar (2L), father of murdered t Rajesh Talwar was attacked outside court in 2011

The defendants insisted they were victims of police incompetence and a media witch-hunt.

Rajesh Talwar recently told the AFP news agency: "We loved Aarushi, we have no lives without her. This has been a never-ending nightmare."

He was attacked in 2011 just outside the court building during the trial by a man with a meat cleaver, leaving his cheek and hand deeply scarred.

The prosecution had conceded there was no forensic or material evidence against the couple, and based its case on the "last-seen theory" - claiming the victims were last seen with the accused.

When Aarushi was found on her bed with her throat slit one morning in May 2008, police initially blamed the missing domestic servant Hemraj.

A day later, they discovered his decomposing body on the roof - his throat was also cut and he had a head wound.

Officers then arrested Rajesh Talwar's Nepalese dental assistant along with two other local servants - Hemraj's friends - but they were all later released because of a lack of hard evidence.

The case was closed in 2010 by police, citing no substantial evidence, amid allegations of a botched probe with investigators failing to seal off the crime scene, allowing neighbours and relatives to walk over it.

The Talwars insisted they wanted the killers found and petitioned a court to re-open the case.

But they found themselves charged with murder, as media speculation about the successful couple intensified.


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Monty Python Tickets Sell Out In 44 Seconds

Four new dates have been announced after tickets for the first Monty Python live show for 30 years sold out within 44 seconds.

The veteran comedy troupe - John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones - announced they were getting back together last week.

A spokesman for the Pythons said the July 1 event sold out in 43.5 seconds on Monday morning and tickets for four further shows had immediately gone on sale.

Tickets for the show appeared for resale on ticket listing websites within minutes for up to £3,000 each.

The concerts at the venue in Greenwich, southeast London, come more than 30 years after their last stage performance.

Speaking at last week's news conference, they said they would include some of their most famous routines including the dead parrot sketch.

But Cleese ruled out a rerun of one of his best loved moments, the Ministry of Silly Walks, saying: "I have an artificial knee and an artificial hip so there's no chance of that".

Idle said fans could "expect a little comedy, a lot of pathos, some music and a tiny bit of ancient sex".

Their last major live show was at the Hollywood Bowl in 1982.

The Pythons amassed millions of fans for their comedy series and films, which also launched their own successful solo careers.

Monty Python's Flying Circus was made for TV between 1969 and 1974. The team went on to make films including Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975) and Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979).


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sinabung: Thousands Flee Volcano Eruptions

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 24 November 2013 | 20.49

Thousands of people have fled after a volcano in western Indonesia erupted eight times in a few hours, raining down rocks over a large area.

Mount Sinabung has been erupting on and off since September, but went into overdrive on Sunday, spewing out red-hot ash and rocks up to five miles into the air.

Several thousand people fled their homes overnight, bringing the total number who have left the area since the volcano rumbled into life to more than 12,000, said local government official Robert Peranginangin.

"People panicked as the eruption was accompanied by a loud thunderous sound and vibrations. Then it started raining down rocks," he said.

"They ran helter-skelter out of their homes and cried for help."

Mount Sinabung Eruptions Intensify Residents living near the volcano have been urged to flee their homes

He said there were no known casualties from the latest eruptions.

Volcanology experts have raised the alert level for the volcano, on the northern tip of Sumatra island, to the highest point on a four-point scale, meaning a hazardous eruption is imminent or under way.

The government has urged people living within a three-mile radius of the volcano to leave their homes.

Sinabung is one of dozens of active volcanoes in Indonesia which straddle major tectonic fault lines known as the "Ring of Fire".

It erupted in September for the first time since 2010.

In August, five people were killed and hundreds evacuated when a volcano on a tiny island in East Nusa Tenggara province erupted.

The country's most active volcano, Mount Merapi in central Java, killed more than 350 people in a series of violent explosions in 2010.


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Iran Nuclear Deal Reached At Talks In Geneva

An agreement has been reached between Iran and six world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

The deal, announced by European Union policy chief Catherine Ashton, is a first step towards resolving a decade-old stand-off between Tehran and the West.

The agreement between the Islamic state and the US, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia was nailed down after more than four days of negotiations in Geneva.

US President Barack Obama said it was an important first step towards a comprehensive solution to Iran's nuclear programme.

William Hague is in Geneva for talks with foreign leaders over Iran. William Hague hailed the agreement as 'very important and encouraging'

He said Iran could not use its next-generation centrifuges under the deal and the limitations under the agreement "cut off Iran's most likely paths to a bomb".

He added that if Iran did not meet its commitments during a six-month period, the US would turn off sanctions relief and "ratchet up the pressure".

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the nuclear deal as an "historic mistake" and reserved his country's right to defend itself.

"Today the world became a much more dangerous place because the most dangerous regime in the world made a significant step in obtaining the most dangerous weapons in the world," he said.

US Secretary of State Kerry shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif after a ceremony at the United Nations in Geneva US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's Mohammed Javad Zarif

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the agreement recognises Tehran's "rights" to maintain a nuclear programme, and it would "never" seek atomic weapons.

The country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: "This can be the basis for further intelligent actions. Without a doubt the grace of God and the prayers of the Iranian nation were a factor in this success."

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague said the agreement was "very important and encouraging", adding that it meant "the nuclear programme won't move forward for six months".

He and US Secretary of State John Kerry are holding talks in London today on the Iran deal and the latest developments in Syria.

Speaking on Iran's Press TV, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the deal was an opportunity for the West to restore trust with the Iranian nation.

He said Tehran would expand co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, to address what he called some concerns.

Iran will get access to $4.2bn (£2.6bn) in foreign exchange as part of the accord, a Western diplomat said.

A senior US official added that the agreement halted progress on Iran's nuclear programme, including construction of the Arak research reactor.

It would neutralise Iran's stockpile of uranium refined to a fissile concentration of 20%, which is a close step away from the level needed for weapons, and calls for intrusive UN nuclear inspections.

European Union foreign policy chief Ashton smiles next to Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif during a ceremony at the United Nations in Geneva European Union policy chief Baroness Catherine Ashton and Javad Zarif

Iran has also committed to stop uranium enrichment above a fissile purity of 5%, a US fact sheet said.

The deal has no recognition of an Iranian right to enrich uranium and sanctions would still be enforced, the US official added.

Refined uranium can be used to fuel nuclear power plants - Iran's stated goal - but also provide the fissile core of an atomic bomb if refined much further.

The deal has sparked fears in Israel, said Sky's Middle East Correspondent Sam Kiley.

"Israel's economy minister Naftali Bennett has said this deal could result in the use of suitcase nuclear devices five years down the line. It could be traced to this historic moment," he said.

"What they're really saying is that the international community, the world's diplomats, have been suckered by Iran in the same way that the international community was successfully suckered, let's face it, by the North Koreans who agreed to a similar deal to downscale their nuclear programme, and after a few months went by actually demonstrated that they had developed a nuclear weapon in secret.

"That is precisely what worries the Israelis."

Diplomacy was stepped up after the landslide election of Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate, as Iranian president in June, replacing nationalist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Policing: 'More Bobbies On The Beat Needed'

Putting more police officers on the beat should be at the forefront of efforts to restore public confidence, according to a blueprint for reform by a former Scotland Yard commissioner.

Lord Stevens will unveil the Independent Police Commission report on Monday and set out a raft of recommendations to transform policing in England and Wales.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Lord Stevens, who introduced neighbourhood policing to the Metropolitan Police 10 years ago, said a community approach was needed.

Police are "sadly deteriorated" in the public's eye, he said, and fewer crimes are being solved.

The commission believes the Government should have a Local Policing Commitment, giving every neighbourhood a guaranteed level of policing.

There should also be guaranteed response times, it says, and every crime should be investigated - or an explanation given as to why not.

"This is the level of service that the public has a right to expect," Lord Stevens said, "but that has deteriorated in front of its eyes."

Police are returning to a "discredited" style of policing, reacting to incidents rather than responding to the root causes of crime, he said.

Among the 37 recommendations by Lord Stevens' commission are that the social purpose of the police should be enshrined in law, bringing "much-needed consensus" to what the public expect of the police.

Lord Stevens, who was commissioned to carry out the report by the Labour party, said the current programme for reform was "confused" and "fragmented".

He said: "With fewer crimes being solved, a return to merely reactive policing that the public do not favour, Plebgate, Hillsborough and the identity crisis of Police and Crime Commissioners, it is no secret that policing in England and Wales faces challenges.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the findings of the Stevens commission would be consulted on as Labour draws up its manifesto for 2015.


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Fire Tear Gas At Ukraine Protesters

Police have fired tear-gas at pro-EU protesters near a government building in Kiev.

More follows...


20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger