Walkie-Talkie Skyscraper Beam 'Melts Cars'

Blinding rays of light from a skyscraper in the City of London are being blamed for melting parts of vehicles below it.

City AM journalist Jim Waterson managed to fry an egg in the glare of the skyscraper where the temperature was measured at 92.6F (33.7C). 

Developers of 20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the "Walkie-Talkie" because of its distinctive shape, are investigating reports of the damaging glare, and a number of nearby car parking spaces have been suspended, say reports.

Businessman Martin Lindsay said he was distraught when he returned to find his luxury Jaguar XJ saloon with warped panels along one side.

20 Fenchurch Street will be completed next year (pic: Laura Lean/City AM)

The wing mirror and badge had also melted from the heat of the reflected sunlight, he claimed.

"They're going to have to think of something. I'm gutted. How can they let this continue?" he told.

The 37-storey skyscraper is still being built and the developers are trying to find a way of sorting out the problem by putting up cladding and scaffolding to cover the area of pavement on Eastcheap where the Jaguar melted.

A joint statement from Land Securities and Canary Wharf said: "We are taking the issue of light reflecting from 20 Fenchurch Street seriously, and are looking into the matter as a priority.

Businessman Martin Lindsay was 'distraught' about his car

"The phenomenon is caused by the current elevation of the sun in the sky. It currently lasts for approximately two hours per day, with initial modelling suggesting that it will be present for approximately 2-3 weeks.

"As responsible developers we are making every effort to keep local businesses informed and we have communicated with them regularly since the issue first appeared. While we investigate the situation further we have liaised with the City of London to suspend three parking bays in the area which may be affected.

"In addition, we are consulting with local businesses and the City to address the issue in the short-term, while also evaluating longer-term solutions to ensure the issue cannot recur in future."

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Young Brits 'Could Miss Digital Jobs Boom'

Up to 750,000 jobs could be created in the next five years to fuel Britain's "burgeoning" digital economy, a report has predicted.

Mobile phone giant O2 said the continued growth of the digital sector offers "fantastic opportunities for tech-savvy young people", but warned not enough was being done to harness their skills.

Ronan Dunne, chief executive of the company's parent firm Telefonica, told Sky News: "If we don't generate those jobs using British youngsters with the right skills, businesses will have to look overseas.

"With the situation in the UK, where one million young people are out of work, we have to make sure we get the schooling elements right, the employer elements right and the readiness for work right."

Research by O2 suggests that 20% of the 750,000 possible vacancies would be entry-level jobs, suitable for people entering the world of work for the first time.

Many roles would be linked to the nationwide roll-out of 4G technology, which offers faster mobile internet speeds.

However, Mr Dunne said employers must show a greater willingness to recruit school leavers in order for the digital jobs boom to have a noticeable impact on youth unemployment.

"The onus cannot be on the Government alone," he said.

"Businesses must proactively seek out opportunities to collaborate to maximise the digital growth opportunity and harness the potential of the next generation.

"As digital natives, young people possess valuable skills that will be the future fuel of our economy, but not enough is being done to harness them."

Mr Dunne's comments came at the opening of Campus Party Europe, one of the world's biggest technology festivals.

Up to 60,000 young people are expected to attend the week-long event at The O2 in London.

As well as 100 guest speakers, the event features a digital skills marketplace, where school leavers can meet potential employers, and a hackathon, which aims to teach young people basic coding skills.

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Jon Venables: Bulger Killer Freed From Prison

Jon Venables, one of the killers of two-year-old James Bulger, has been freed from prison for the second time.

Venables was freed from prison after being locked up in 2010 for downloading images of child abuse after previously serving eight years for murdering two-year-old James in Liverpool in 1993.

Legal sources confirmed his release to the Press Association.

The killer has reportedly been given his second new identity at a reported cost of £250,000.

But James Bulger's father, Ralph, believes Venables, 31, will commit more crime, a friend said.

Ralph Bulger pictured in 2011

"He hasn't put a time on it but he is convinced he will reoffend," she said.

She added that James' family were given little information about Venables' release and Mr Bulger was told via his lawyer.

"As ever they are kept in the dark.

"They don't explain the terms of his release, I don't know whether they are going to.

James' mother, Denise Fergus, believes Venables should still be in jail

"But I don't think Venables can enter Merseyside, however that was one of the conditions which he repeatedly broke before."

The toddler's mother, Denise Fergus, told The Sun that Venables is "a danger to the public".

"He lies for his own sick ends," she said.

Venables was 10 years old when he and his friend, Robert Thompson, tortured and murdered James after abducting him from a shopping centre in Bootle.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "We do not comment on individual offenders."

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Rush: Lauda Shocked By F1 Movie Crash Scenes

By Richard Suchet, Arts and Entertainment Correspondent

F1 legend Niki Lauda had no idea what happened in the crash that left him with horrific facial burns - until he saw the hospital scenes in a new movie depicting his infamous rivalry with James Hunt.

The Austrian returned to racing just weeks after his Ferrari left the track in the 1976 German Grand Prix as he tried to stop Hunt from being crowned champion.

Australian actor Chris Hemsworth plays 1976 F1 champion James Hunt

Speaking at the world premiere of Rush, Lauda, who was trapped in his burning car for over a minute, told Sky News: "I was inside so I was busy staying alive.

"The movie is done very realistically and I, too, was shocked when I saw the hospital scenes, how they treated me, what they had to do to keep me alive.

"So even the movie for me was a shock in one way."

Olivia Wilde, who plays Hunt's first wife Suzy Miller, signs autographs

Ron Howard's new movie tells the story of the Hunt-Lauda rivalry - widely considered to be one of the fiercest sport has ever known.

"It's a gauntlet, emotional and physical, that they put themselves through to try to achieve greatness, to fulfil that need that they had [to win]," said Howard. 

"All of that was only intensified by the fact that it was played out in Formula 1 - a world that is dangerous, that is visual, that is cinematic, that is so visceral - so I thought it was a fantastic combination."

F1 drivers Sergio Perez and Jenson Button were at the premiere

Rush stars Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as playboy British racer Hunt - a risk-taker, with a penchant for drugs, women and alcohol.

Germany's Daniel Bruhl plays the dour, detail-obsessed Lauda.

Niki Lauda says he now feels "very warm" about his great rival

Asked how he feels about his rival now, Lauda said: "I wish James could be here tonight, because this would be my best day.

"I feel very warm about him."

Hunt died from a heart attack in 1993, aged just 45.

David Hasselhoff and Hayley Roberts arrive at the world premiere

His son Tom, was also on the red carpet, said he was happy with his father's portrayal in the film.

He told Sky News he understood why Howard had covered his father's playboy lifestyle.

"There were bits of that involved in dad's life. That's part of who dad was - that's partly why he was so famous and popular."

Rush is released in the UK on September 13.

In real life Lauda and Hunt were friendly rivals

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Rapist Discovers His Victim Had HIV

A jailed rapist will discover this week whether he contracted HIV from his victim.

Richard Thomas, 27, collapsed when police informed him about his victim's medical status and is still waiting to hear if he has contracted the virus.

Thomas knew the woman and was aware that she has another illness but had not known about the HIV.

He was shocked when he was told and asked to be taken to hospital, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

He had let himself into her home in Leigh, Greater Manchester, uninvited in the middle of the night and she awoke to find him raping her from behind.

"She froze and no words were exchanged. He pulled up his shorts and left," said Harry Pepper, prosecuting.

"He was arrested and interviewed and said he had been drinking heavily, taken cocaine and ecstasy and could not recall the incident," he added.

His barrister, Virginia Hayton, said that he still cannot recall the attack but when told about it he said that the woman "would not lie, she tells the truth. If she says I have done it, I have done it."

Jailing Thomas for five years and four months, Judge Mark Brown said he had committed "this dreadful offence" while she lay asleep, having taken a sleeping tablet, and left her distressed and anxious.

He ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Thomas, of Sandringham Drive, Leigh, pleaded guilty to raping the woman on July 20 this year.

Miss Hayton said that Thomas, who has previous convictions but none for sexual offences, "is remorseful and cannot understand why he did it and it is troubling him."

She said that he will not find out the result of his HIV test until Friday and has had the worry of the outcome hanging over him.

"It is his own fault, if he had not committed this offence he would not have placed himself in this position."

She said that he started using cannabis at the age of nine and was drinking heavily at the age of 11. He became addicted to ecstasy and cocaine at 13 and was put in care the following year.

He has been trying to contact his family but they want nothing to do with him, she said, and he will now be away from his partner and their young daughter, as well as his two other older daughters from previous relationships.

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Transfer Window: Premier League's Record Spend

English Premier League clubs spent a record £630m on players during the summer transfer window, analysis has revealed.

The figure was a almost a third bigger than the equivalent total in 2012 - and £130m more than the previous record of £500m set in 2008.

Deloitte Sports Business Group revealed the record total after £140m was spent on a frantic final day of the transfer window, which saw Arsenal and Manchester United both seal big last-minute deals for players.

Dan Jones, from Deloitte, said: "The story of this summer transfer window is of new records: a new record for Premier League spending as well as a new world transfer record fee.

"Premier League clubs' gross spending this summer is £630m, beating the previous record of £500m set in 2008.

"Whilst the sale of Gareth Bale brought £85m into the Premier League, net spending is also a record, at £400m.

"As the financial rewards for participation and success in the Premier League increase, so it follows that clubs are investing on the pitch to ensure they continue to benefit from the remarkable Premier League growth story."

Gareth Bale moved from Spurs to Real Madrid for £85m

Of the £630m total, Deloitte said £490m went to foreign clubs, with £100m changing hands between members of England's top division and £40m going to football league clubs.

Alex Thorpe, consultant at Deloitte's Sports Business Group, said: "This is the first year that Premier League clubs will benefit financially from the league's new broadcast deals; each club benefiting from a share of the extra £600m of revenues in 2013/14 alone.

"Testament to the impact this is having is in the scale of Premier League gross spending, as well as the gulf in net spending between the Premier League and other European leagues.

"Whereas many clubs around Europe have been reliant on selling players in order to spend, the financial advantages Premier League clubs enjoy has enabled net spending of £400m across the league.  Many clubs, including new entrants to the league, have successfully competed in the European transfer market to attract high-profile foreign talent."

Deloitte's analysis also showed that gross spending by clubs in Europe's 'big five' top divisions was up compared with last year.

After the Premier League, the next highest spenders were Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A, each with a gross spend of £335m, followed by France's Ligue 1 with £315m and Germany's Bundesliga with £230m.

But net transfer spending across Europe was much lower than the Premier League's £400m, with La Liga (£95m) and Serie A (£10m) generating surpluses, while Ligue 1 (£130) and the Bundesliga (£50m) both spent more than they received.

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Ray Mears Helped Track Down Raoul Moat

Survival expert Ray Mears has broken a two-year silence to speak of his role in the hunt for killer Raoul Moat.

The bush tracker and TV presenter joined a Tornado fighter jet and scores of armed police officers in the £1 million-plus search for the former doorman.

They were called in after Moat and his accomplices went to ground in woodland surrounding Rothbury, Northumberland, in July 2010.

Mr Mears, 49, contacted a police search adviser he had met at a lecture years earlier to offer his skills and after police discovered an abandoned campsite on the outskirts of Rothbury, he was called in to help.

In an interview with the Gloucestershire Echo, the bushcraft expert said that at one point he was within 20ft of the gunman after eight hours of moving stealthily through dense forest.

He described the scene when he arrived in Rothbury as like something "out of a Hollywood film set" with bright lights, police snipers, helicopters circling overhead and the Tornado making reconnaissance sorties.

Raoul Moat went in the run in the Northumberland countryside

He told the newspaper: "It was all a bit surreal. This is the first time I've talked about it and it's because I feel there has been sufficient water under the bridge."

Mr Mears, who was speaking ahead of the publication of his autobiography later this month, added: "It was such a unique set of circumstances. I have experience of tracking for 40 years.

"I can't imagine there would be that many people in the country who would have been in a position to help the police find someone who had gone into hiding who needed to be found.

"It was a real-life hunt; within my skill set but outside of my comfort zone."

Mr Mears told the newspaper that police disclosed afterwards that Moat's emergence from hiding was a direct result of his presence with armed officers.

Moat went on the run after shooting Chris Brown, 29, who had started a relationship with his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart.

Police pictured after cornering Moat near Rothbury

The spurned lover killed Mr Brown and seriously injured Ms Stobbart in theshooting in Birtley, Gateshead, two days after he was released from prison.

The following day the 37-year-old bodybuilder blasted unarmed PC David Rathband in the face, leaving him blind.

The officer was found hanged at his home in Blyth, Northumberland, in February last year.

The huge search for Moat, involving officers from 18 forces, was one of the biggest police operations seen in the UK.

The rapidly evolving manhunt gripped the nation as newspapers, television and radio stations concentrated on the search, bringing close scrutiny of the police's actions.

The 17-stone steroid addict was finally cornered at the edge of the River Coquet on the evening of July 9.

Following a five-hour stand-off with armed police the father-of-three shot himself in the head at the moment officers used Tasers to try to disable him. He was later declared dead at hospital.

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Gary Tweddle: Body Recovered In Oz Bushland

Police believe a body that has been recovered from Australian bushland may be that of a British man who went missing seven weeks ago.

Gary Tweddle, 23, has not been seen since he disappeared after a work dinner during a conference in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.

Police said a body thought to be Mr Tweddle was spotted by an ambulance rescue helicopter during a training exercise near Leura on Monday.

Mr Tweddle is originally from Reading

Police abseiled about 25m down a cliff face to the site on Tuesday, and the body was winched to the top of the cliff about 4pm local time (7am BST).

Superintendent Darryl Jobson said that the man was similar in appearance to Mr Tweddle, but it could take a number of days to formally identify the body.

"What we need to do is go through our formal identification processes to make sure we identify the right male and making sure that we're notifying the right next of kin," he said.

Mr Tweddle with his girlfriend Anika Haigh

"At an appropriate time we'll be able to convey to you to the identity of the male."

He said police will examine the area where the body was found, which will help determine the cause of death.

"It would appear to be misadventure but we're not ruling anything out," he said.

Joanne Elliott, a spokeswoman for Blue Mountains Local Area Command, said the "extremely rough terrain" meant police rescue officers were not able to retrieve the body on Monday.

"The location couldn't be accessed on foot and the crew lost all light in the mountains so we're unable to get down to the ground," she said.

Mr Tweddle, who had emigrated to Australia, was last heard from when he rang colleagues also staying at the Fairmont Resort in Leura in the early hours of July 17 to say he was lost in the bushland.

Mr Tweddle emigrated to Australia with his family

As the recovery operation started, Mr Tweddle's girlfriend told friends and family that "the sun is beginning to rise on a day that we have all been hoping would never come".

Anika Haigh wrote on her Facebook page: "A body has been found in the area of Gary's disappearance and today it will be retrieved and identified.

"Please know that nothing has been confirmed at this stage but I hope in a few hours we will have an answer either way.

"One thing I know for certain is that Gary will... come home one day - his fight, determination & 'never give up' attitude that we all loved so much about him will guide him."

Mr Tweddle became lost in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney

She added that it was time for him "to come home where you belong".

The disappearance of Mr Tweddle, a computer salesman originally from Reading, sparked the biggest search ever conducted in the Blue Mountains.

His father David flew out to Australia from his home in Berkshire to help with the search effort before he returned to the UK last month.

Mr Tweddle's mother Carol Streatfield, who also lives in Australia, had also flown to the Blue Mountains to join the search for her son.

She said the phone call from Ms Haigh telling her that her son was missing was the first step in the most "heart-breaking journey" of her life.

Mr Tweddle was at a work conference in the Blue Mountains area

In a statement issued by the Foreign Office last month, she said: "On the mountain my days were filled with sirens, noise, searching, tireless walking and door knocking. I repeatedly followed the track I believed he had taken in the hopes of finding a clue.

"Every pole and tree were covered with his beautiful face, however it was on a piece of A4 paper with a 'missing' heading.

"At one point I was so exhausted I found a bench to sit on in the middle of a bush track, and as I sat down and there to the left of me was Gary's photo.

"It was a small comfort as I stroked his face, kissed him and told him how much I loved him and that I will never give up trying to find him, ever."

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Brits Honour Elton With First Icon Accolade

Sir Elton John has been given the first ever Brit Icon Award.

The new honour will become part of the annual Brit Awards collection but will be celebrated at its own stand-alone event.

The music legend was presented with the gong by fellow pop icon Rod Stewart at a gala concert and the pair went on to duet Elton's famous tune Sad Songs.

Video tributes were shown from Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Annie Lennox as well as rising young talent Ed Sheeran.

"It's a tremendous honour and a real thrill for me to have my work acknowledged in this way, and I'm really looking forward to participating in what promises to be a very special occasion," Elton said on accepting the award.

The British superstar can be seen playing in London later this month at the iTunes Festival.

The award ceremony will be shown on British TV on September 13.

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Corrie Le Vell 'Raped Girl On Regular Basis'

The mother of Michael Le Vell's alleged victim says she believes her daughter was raped by the actor "on a regular basis".

The Coronation Street star is at Manchester Crown Court for the second day of his child rape trial.

On Monday, his alleged victim told the court the actor first raped her when she was six years old as she clutched her teddy bear.

Her mother, who cannot be identified, was in the witness box today and cried as she recalled the moment her daughter told her about the alleged rape.

The woman told the court: "I believe he molested and abused her on a regular basis and there had been a number of rapes."

She said her daughter told her how Le Vell held a teddy bear against her mouth while raping her and he would force the girl to give him oral sex.

The victim's mother said when she confronted Le Vell about the alleged sex abuse, he replied: "You are joking. You are having a laugh."

Le Vell, 48, who plays car mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV soap, denies committing the offences.

Le Vell, at court today, plays car mechanic Kevin Webster in the soap

Earlier, the girl, 17, was cross-examined by Le Vell's defence barrister Alisdair Williamson, who accused her of lying.

The girl, who is giving evidence from behind a screen in the court, cannot be identified for legal reasons.

During the cross-examination, Mr Williamson questioned the girl's story and her motivations.

The barrister said the girl went to an "inspirational self-help" conference where she heard a motivational speech from a woman who was raped at a young age.

Mr Williamson said the rape victim who gave the talk then went on to rebuild her life and become a success.

The lawyer said: "Is that what some of this is about? You heard this lady talking about how she was raped when she was very young and how she went on and became a model? You want to become an actress or a dancer, is that right?"

The girl replied: "I wanted to, I don't anymore."

During further questions from Eleanor Laws QC, prosecuting, the girl said she could not remember seeing the motivational speech from the rape victim.

The alleged victim also told the court that Le Vell smelt strongly of alcohol the first time he raped her.

She cried as she told the court: "I hated him because what he did was so wrong and I was so young and I did not know at the time."

Le Vell outside the court on Monday

The girl said Le Vell took her to an award show and arranged a visit to Coronation Street after he raped her.

As the girl gave evidence, Le Vell repeatedly shook his head.

Earlier, the barrister asked the girl about alleged inconsistencies in what she had told police.

Mr Williamson told the court the witness had initially told police she had never talked to anyone about the alleged abuse.

But the lawyer claimed the witness "told lots of girls" about it.

"I told two friends because they saw me crying," the witness replied.

But when police were called in the witness told the officer she had not told anyone, the court heard.

Mr Williamson continued: "The officer came to see you because ... you told people and you told the officer a little lie.

"You told him you had not told the girls, they had just guessed.

"I suggest that was a little lie?"

"No," the witness replied.

Le Vell is facing 12 charges in all - five counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two counts of sexual activity with a child, and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

The alleged offences relate to one complainant and are said to have taken place between 2001 and September 2010. The girl was aged between six and 14.

After his arrest Le Vell, a father of two, told officers the allegations were a "pack of absolute lies" and he has maintained his innocence throughout.

Le Vell, of Hale, Cheshire, is one of TV's most famous faces after playing Kevin Webster for the past 30 years.

ITV has said he will not be appearing in any further episodes of Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

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