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Northern Ireland Talks End Without Deal

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 24 Desember 2013 | 23.17

Talks being held throughout the night in Northern Ireland aimed at finding a solution to peace process issues have ended without agreement.

The marathon session in Belfast between Stormont's five executive parties and chaired by US former diplomat Richard Haass broke up at 4am.

It had been hoped that a resolution over flags, parades and other matters connected with the troubles of the past could be found before Christmas.

Mr Haass and co-chairwoman Meghan O'Sullivan, a US foreign affairs expert, had hoped to return to the US with an agreement.

Instead, they will fly back home for Christmas empty handed and will instead ask all those involved a number of questions, the answers to which will, they hope, lead to another draft set of proposals - the fifth - that may bring a deal closer.

The pair have said they will consider returning next weekend if an eleventh hour deal can be struck.

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness appointed Richard Haass to the job

Emerging from the meeting at the Stormont Hotel, Mr Haass insisted the process was not dead.

"I am not in the business of doing post mortems here because the patient is still alive," he said.

Mr Haass said there continued to be "significant differences and divisions" among the parties on all three issues being discussed.

While some progress had been made on parades and dealing with the past, there was no immediate prospect of a deal on flags, he said.

"The work done on flags is quite disappointing by any measure," he explained. "But the other two areas have been, I believe, quite impressive and I believe it would be a real shame not to be able to turn that work into a reality."

He added: "We would like to think there is reason to return....Let me be clear about this - we don't have an agreement, (but) in no way have we given up the possibility of still reaching an agreement before the end of the year."

Mr Haass has already said that neither he nor Ms O'Sullivan will be able to continue to be involved in the process beyond the end of the year because of other commitments.

As the talks were going on, a gun attack was carried out at a police station in Lisnaskea in County Fermanagh, according to members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. No injuries were reported.

Justice Minister David Ford's office tweeted: "Those who tried to kill police officers in Lisnaskea are to be condemned. They have nothing positive to offer."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Care Home Christmas Tree Theft Caught On CCTV

Police are hunting for a woman who was caught on CCTV stealing a Christmas tree from a care home in London.

The video shows the woman entering the sheltered housing building in Camberwell, southeast London, on the pretence of visiting someone.

However, no one at the home for vulnerable adults knew who she was.

After a short time in the building, the suspect picked up the small tree, which had a star on the top, and walked out of the main entrance with it.

It was the only Christmas tree in the home and had been donated by a member of staff.

Christmas tree stolen No one at the care home knew the woman

Police have now issued an appeal for information from anyone who saw the incident on December 15.

PC Lorna Clark said: "This is a particularly callous crime especially at this time of year involving some of our more vulnerable members of society.

"If anyone is able to identify the female or has any information about the theft they are asked to contact police on 020 8721 2446 or 101 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Alan Turing: WWII Code-Breaker Granted Pardon

Second World War code-breaker Alan Turing has been given a posthumous royal pardon for a 61-year-old conviction for homosexual activity.

Dr Turing, who played a pivotal role in breaking the Enigma code, arguably shortening the war by at least two years, was chemically castrated following his conviction in 1952.

His conviction for "gross indecency" led to the removal of his security clearance and meant he was no longer able to work for Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) where he had continued to work following his service at Bletchley Park during the war.

Alan M Turing and colleagues working on the Ferranti Mark I Computer, 1951. There's been a long campaign to clear the mathematician's (far right) name

Dr Turing, who died aged 41 in 1954 and is often described as the father of modern computing, has been granted a pardon - effective from today - under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy by the Queen following a request from Justice Secretary Chris Grayling.

He said: "Dr Alan Turing was an exceptional man with a brilliant mind. His brilliance was put into practice at Bletchley Park during the Second World War where he was pivotal to breaking the Enigma code, helping to end the war and save thousands of lives.

"His later life was overshadowed by his conviction for homosexual activity, a sentence we would now consider unjust and discriminatory and which has now been repealed.

"Dr Turing deserves to be remembered and recognised for his fantastic contribution to the war effort and his legacy to science. A pardon from the Queen is a fitting tribute to an exceptional man."

Dr Turing died of cyanide poisoning and an inquest recorded a verdict of suicide, although his mother and others maintained his death was accidental.

Bletchley Park Bletchley Park was Britain's main decryption base during World War Two

There has been a long campaign to clear the mathematician's name, including an e-petition backed by 37,404 signatures and private member's bill, along with support from leading scientists such as Stephen Hawking.

The Justice Secretary has the power to ask the Queen to grant a pardon under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy for civilians convicted in England and Wales.

A pardon is only normally granted when the person is innocent of the offence and where a request has been made by someone with a vested interest such as a family member. But on this occasion a pardon has been issued without either requirement being met.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Alan Turing was a remarkable man who played a key role in saving this country in World War Two by cracking the German Enigma code.

"His action saved countless lives. He also left a remarkable national legacy through his substantial scientific achievements, often being referred to as the father of modern computing."

Iain Stewart, Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South, who was involved in the campaign to secure a royal pardon, said it was a "just reward  for a man who was stripped of his honour, his work and the loyalty he showed his nation".

The World War II Enigma decoding machine The World War II Enigma decoding machine at Bletchley Park

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, president and vice chancellor of the University of Manchester, where Dr Turing had worked, also welcomed the news and said: "His legacy will live on as one of the most significant scientists of his or any other generation."

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said the granting of the royal pardon was "long overdue" and called for the same treatment to be given to others convicted in similar circumstances.

A GCHQ spokesperson said: "We are delighted about the pardon and point to the personal tribute that Director GCHQ made to Alan Turing in a speech at the University of Leeds in Oct 2012.

"Sir Iain Lobban said at the time: 'If I had to single out one piece of Turing's legacy to GCHQ today, it would be the way that his contribution was part of the irrevocable change that turned the Code and Cypher School from being the mainly cryptanalytic bureau it was between the wars to becoming the highly technological intelligence organisation that GCHQ is today'."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Adoption: New Online Maps To Ease Process

Would-be adopters are being urged by a minister to use online maps to help match them to some of the 6,000 children in need of a home.

The interactive maps include local information such as the ratio of children in need of waiting adopters and the approval rate.

Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson said there had been "promising progress" to improve adoption rates, but significantly more needed to be done.

Adoption map The online system has information about each council area

"This Christmas I want anyone considering adoption to look carefully at the information in our interactive maps and consider whether they can offer a child a stable and loving home," said Mr Timpson, who has two adopted brothers.

"There remains significant work to do next year.

"Our new adoption leadership board will play an important role ensuring local authorities and adoption agencies stay on track and recruit more adopters.

"A further £50m for councils in 2014 will help them put the building blocks in place to implement our reforms."

Department for Education figures show a 34% increase in willing adopters and successful adoptions up by 15% following the implementation of reforms.

Adoption UK chief executive Hugh Thornbery said: "We've seen a rise in adoptions this year, but we still need more adopters to provide loving homes for some of society's most vulnerable children.

"We know that key to attracting more adopters is the assurance of accessible, timely and appropriate support."

Children at a playground Successful adoptions are up by 15% following reforms

David Simmonds, chair of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, said an increased focus on improving adoption services was a "positive move, but this isn't new money".

He said it represented a net reduction in funding for local authorities and could impact on services for vulnerable children.

"Councils have been working hard to recruit more adoptive mums and dads and are doing everything in their power to ensure that vulnerable children get the best start in life," he said.

"The fact remains that we still need thousands more potential adopters to come forward to offer loving homes.

"Councils also rightly acknowledge that there is variation in performance across the country and the LGA is working with the Government to help support improvement.

"However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach and decisions must be made on what is in the best interests of each individual child."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Parents Spend £135m On Babies' First Christmas

By Adele Robinson, Midlands Correspondent

Parents in the UK spend some £135m on gifts to mark their child's first Christmas, according to a survey by the Post Office.

The study found that an average of £166 is spent per couple and that parents in London spend the most at £328.50, while parents in Belfast spend the least at £63.61.

Young parents are shown to be the biggest spenders, with 18 to 24-year-olds buying £245 worth of gifts.

Prince George Prince George will spend his first Christmas at Sandringham

Sky News has been following a new mum and dad from Manchester who gave birth around the same time as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Chloe Renwick and Matt Lee-Cook's son Sebastien was born at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester in July - a week after Prince George was born at St Mary's Hospital in London. Chloe and Matt have spent around £50 on Sebastien's first Christmas.

Mr Lee-Cook said: "(It's) less than we will probably spend on future Christmases. He has managed to spend a lot of our money already.

"I don't think he's going to feel the benefit of a material Christmas so we've got him a few little things, a few toys, nothing significant."

Top toy Some £245 worth of gifts were bought by parents aged 18 to 24

Ms Renwick said: "It's also the incidentals; all the things that we've bought around it. So he's had a high chair so he can sit with us at Christmas - that's not factored into his Christmas budget, so I suppose in total we've spent a lot more than that, just not specifically for Christmas."

When it comes to gifts the most popular present is a teddy bear, or soft toys, for a baby's first Christmas.

Interactive, or educational baby games came second, followed by baby clothes and then Christmas-themed costumes.

Almost two in five parents (38%) are planning to put money aside in a savings account. The average contribution is around £98.

Prince George is expected to spend his first Christmas at the Queen's estate in Sandringham. Traditionally the Royal Family exchange small gifts which are often humorous.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Afghanistan: British Soldier Killed By Enemy Fire

A British soldier understood to have been serving in the Special Forces has been killed in action in Afghanistan.

"It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) must announce the death of a soldier from the Royal Engineers in Afghanistan on 23 December, 2013," the MoD said in a statement.

"The serviceman was killed in action as a result of enemy fire whilst on operations east of Kabul."

Next of kin have been informed.

The death takes the number of UK service members who have lost their lives since operations began in Afghanistan in October 2001 to 447.

The majority of British forces are in Helmand Province, in the south of the country, but some also operate elsewhere, including in and around the capital, Kabul.

British combat troops are due to have left the country by the end of 2014.

There are just four bases remaining outside Camp Bastion, due to be closed down one by one in the new year, and the number of personnel has been reduced from 9,000 at the start of the year to around 5,200.

Prime Minister David Cameron said during a visit to the base last week that Afghanistan was "mission accomplished" and that British troops could return to the UK with their "heads held high".

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Addison Cresswell: 'Larger Than Life' Agent Dies

Addison Cresswell, who managed the careers of Jonathan Ross and Jack Dee and was regarded as one of the most influential figures in British comedy, has died at the age of 53.

Cresswell's management company Off The Kerb had also represented Lee Evans, Jo Brand and Alan Carr and his production company, Open Mike, was behind popular TV shows such as Live At The Apollo.

He negotiated the deals which once saw Ross become one of the highest-earners on UK television - the chat show host signed a three-year contract with the BBC for around £18m which ended in 2010.

Following the fall-out from the Sachsgate scandal, Cresswell took his client to ITV where he now has another successful chat show.

A spokesman said the agent and producer "passed away in his sleep at home last night".

Cresswell, seen as a no-nonsense, forceful and larger than life character by many in the industry, got his break in the entertainment industry after becoming entertainments officer at Brighton Polytechnic where he was studying.

His first client was the poet John Hegley and he began his business working from his kitchen table.

He built his empire to such a degree that his acts - who also include Michael McIntyre - often dominate TV comedy shows.

Jonathan RossJo Brand Jonathan Ross and Jo Brand were among Cresswell's clients

His death has shocked the comedy world with many stars taking to Twitter to leave their tributes.

Stephen Fry wrote: "Oh goodness, I've just heard about Addison Cresswell a larger than life impresario manager. My deepest sympathy to all his family & friends."

James Corden tweeted: "Such sad news. An incredible man. An incredible talent. May he rest in peace x."

Omid Djalili tweeted: "Shocking news about Addison Cresswell. 52. Way too young. I miss the headlocks already RIP."

A spokesman said: "Addison will be fondly remembered by all whose lives he touched as a devoted mentor, a dear friend and an unforgettable character. He will be sorely missed.

"He leaves behind a proud legacy in his tireless charity work, initiating and organising the annual Channel 4 Comedy Gala in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was his dearest wish to raise enough to fund the opening of a brand new wing of the hospital, a goal that is now in sight.

He added: "He is survived by his beloved wife, Shelley, his dogs Bonnie and Nessie and many, many pet fish."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Waitrose Airbrushes Writer A Girl Called Jack

Waitrose has apologised after a writer's tattoos were apparently airbrushed out of a photoshoot for its food magazine.

Jack Monroe said she was "stunned" to see her body art erased without her permission from a photo used in the current issue of Waitrose Kitchen.

The 25-year-old single mother, whose blog about budget recipes for her son earned her a huge following online, said she was commissioned to contribute recipes to the magazine.

A shopper passes by branded bags in the Canary Wharf store of Waitrose in London. Waitrose is traditionally seen as a favourite with middle-class shoppers

She posted a photo of the offending image on Twitter and wrote: "Thanks to Waitrose Kitchen, I now know what I would look like without my tattoos."

Ms Monroe, who has almost 30,000 Twitter followers, added: "I'm missing a massive deck of cards on my shoulder and a big rose underneath it. Wow. Actually stunned."

She told Sky News: "I'm disappointed in the editorial decision to remove my tattoos.

Jack Monroe in November's Waitrose Kitchen Ms Monroe's tattoos did feature in Waitrose Kitchen's November issue

"Body art may not be to everyone's taste but there's no denying that they are very much a part of who I am - I choose to decorate myself in a similar way that some women would choose statement jewellery or designer handbags, neither of which appeal to me!

"More surprisingly is that in last month's edition of the magazine my tattoos were on full display - so to airbrush them for the following edition seems odd and inconsistent.

"I always take long sleeved tops to photo shoots to give editors the 'option' of featuring my tattoos or not - but airbrushing them out is an entirely different matter."

Pippa Middleton on the front cover of Waitrose Kitchen magazine Waitrose Kitchen's sales rose after Pippa Middleton signed up as a writer

A Waitrose spokeswoman blamed an error in January's magazine and said a previous issue, which featured the tattoos, showed that the supermarket does not have a problem with body art.

She said: "Jack's tattoos were clearly visible in the three pictures in the November issue of Kitchen.

"Unfortunately an error was made in the January edition. We're very sorry for any upset caused."

Waitrose Kitchen - published by John Brown Media and edited by food writer and broadcaster William Sitwell - costs £1.20 and boasts 1.4 million readers.

It saw sales surge by almost 20% after hiring the Duchess of Cambridge's sister Pippa Middleton as a columnist shortly after parting company with 72-year-old Delia Smith.

Jack Monroe started her blog after finding herself with a budget of £10 per week to feed herself and her son Johnny.

The blog's success has earned her a book deal and appearances on shows including BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour and BBC One's The One Show.

Earlier this month, she announced she would be fronting a TV ad campaign for Waitrose's rival Sainsbury's.


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Weather: Christmas Travel Plans Hit By Storms

Travellers are still struggling with transport problems after a night of widespread storms caused flooding and power outages and toppled hundreds of trees.

Earlier there were no train services to or from Gatwick airport in West Sussex and power problems at its north terminal meant that only British Airways flights were departing.

But 11 BA flights have been cancelled and passengers have been told the power supply problems mean they will not be able to travel with their luggage.

The airline said bags will be sent to them as soon as possible but after Christmas Day, meaning many will have to choose between leaving Christmas presents behind or cancelling their trip altogether.

Winter weather Fire crews rescued motorists from cars Pic: Dorset Fire and Rescue Service

EasyJet, which is flying from the south terminal, has cancelled a 38 flights.

Passengers at the airport have complained of a lack of information and spoke of four-hour delays.

In Dorset fire crews rescued around 25 people from cars trapped in floodwater.

Fire control said rescuers helped get people out of stranded vehicles in the Sturminster, Blandford, Shaftesbury, Sherborne and Wimborne areas.

Some have been forced to leave their homes as water levels rise while many villages in the South East have found themselves under water. A severe flood warning has been issued for Leatherhead in Surrey.

weather

The south of the country has had some respite from the stormy weather but parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland are still being battered by strong gales and heavy rains.

Engineers are working to restore power to as many as 130,000 homes across the country, with no guarantee the lights will be back on in time for Christmas Day.

UK Power Networks has said it will buy Christmas dinner for anyone who is still without power on on Wednesday.

A number of train companies were unable to run any early-morning trains and when services did eventually start they were subject to delays and cancellations.

Network Rail (NR) said more than 200 trees had come down on lines during the last 24 hours and there had been "a further 100 major incidents discovered on top of that".

weather disruption The departures board at Waterloo station shows dozens of cancelled trains

It added that in southern England the storm damage had been greater than that of the 'St Jude's Storm' a few weeks ago.

Customers are being advised to check the latest travel situation before starting their journeys.

Some 900 passengers were stuck on the Spirit of Britain ferry outside Dover for 15 hours as it was considered too risky to enter the harbour.

The ship left Calais last night and managed to dock safely at around 7.30am.

Shortly before the ship reached Dover, Digvijay Rathod told Sky News: "Many people haven't slept. I have 53 people to take care of. There are mothers, there are children who have been sick.

Winter weather Dec 24th Flooded tracks in West Horndon, Essex, show the challenge facing rail firms

"It's been a tough night - people just want to get home. We left Calais at 4pm and we were supposed to reach here within two hours."

The Environment Agency has issued hundreds of flood warnings across all of England and Wales, with a severe flood warning - the highest level warning of danger to life - in the South West, where properties are expected to flood.

People travelling on First Great Western's service from London Paddington to Devon and Cornwall were left stranded at Taunton in Somerset shortly before 1am because of flooding and signal problems.

Passengers described delays after leaving London before the service was terminated at Taunton with First Great Western then having to put people on buses and taxis to get them to their destination.

Tim Field from the Energy Networks Association told Sky News that it was not possible to promise that power would be restored to homes cut off by the storm in time for Christmas Day.

Winter weather Families in Edenbridge, Kent, say water levels are rising in their street

He said: "We've been able to restore about 60,000 properties yesterday evening and last night but with the storms that have come in, people are waking up this morning to find themselves without power.

"We've been facing some very difficult conditions. Fallen trees have brought down power lines and blocked roads, which has affected engineers' progress."

The Environment Agency Flood Line can be contacted on 0845 988 1188 for advice and up to date information.

Christmas Day is expected to be calmer with just a few wintry showers in the north and west, while Boxing Day looks mainly fine, but stormy conditions look set to return on Friday.

Passengers stranded on the Spirit of Britain ferry Passengers on a Calais to Dover ferry spent a miserable 15 hours at sea

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Dog Owner Is Second To Die Trying To Rescue Pet

Two men have been killed in the space of two days trying to rescue their dogs from fast-flowing river waters as storms caused hazardous conditions across Britain.

A 46-year-old man was swept away by the current after he leapt into the River Lemon after his pet in Newton Abbot at 11.15am on Tuesday.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said he was later spotted some distance downstream by police officers, who managed to retrieve him from the river.

An air ambulance took him to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.

The dog escaped from the water unharmed.

Gales and Heavy Rain Threaten The Festive Getaway Much of the country has been battered by wind and rain

The man had entered the water by the Asda store at Bakers Park, where his family are believed to have been shopping at at the time.

It followed an incident in the River Rothay in Ambleside, Cumbria, on Monday, which saw a 48-year-old man lose his life.

Simon Martindale was seen with his dog in the river at approximately 2.25pm before being swept away by the fast-moving water.

His body was found at 3.30pm following a multi-agency search.

Again, the dog managed to get out of the water.

weather

The storms have so far claimed five lives and the Environment Agency has issued scores of flood warnings across all of England and Wales.

Police have warned people against entering fast-flowing water "for any reason".

A woman died in a river in Gwynedd, North Wales, another woman was killed in a car crash in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and a man died in a multiple-collision crash near Bodmin in Cornwall on Sunday night.

A body has also been found in a stream in Horton, Telford, Shropshire.

Police said it was not known how long the body had been in the water or whether the death was related to the recent weather conditions.

Winter weather Flooding in Guildford in Surrey

:: See the latest weather forecast here

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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