Adam Pickup: Body Found In Missing Teen Search

Police searching for teenager Adam Pickup have found a body they believe to be the missing student.

The 17-year-old had not been seen since the early hours of Saturday morning, when he got separated from his friends during a night out in Manchester city centre.

But officers searching for Adam - whose disappearance prompted a nationwide appeal - have discovered a body in an area near Deansgate Train Station.

Police say there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Chief Superintendent Nick Adderley, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "While formal identification has not taken place we believe this is the body of missing Adam Pickup. His family has been informed.

Adam left Fab Cafe in Portland Street and was seen later in Oxford Street

"This is a heart-breaking time for Adam's family and our thoughts are with them.

"Our initial indication is that that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, however speculation as to what may have happened will not give the answers Adam's family is looking for.

"We will now carry out a thorough investigation which includes a post-mortem examination.

"We would like to thank the media and the wider public for all their support during this appeal, including on social media."

Two men who were earlier arrested have been released without charge.

Adam was known to have left Fab Cafe on Portland Street at around 3.20am on Saturday morning.

Police had earlier released CCTV footage showing Adam walking down nearby Oxford Street along with an unidentified man and woman, who officers had urged to come forward.

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David Attenborough's 'Ghastly' Night Shifts

By Richard Suchet, Arts and Entertainment Correspondent

Sir David Attenborough says he struggled to acclimatise to night shifts during filming for his new documentary.

The 87-year-old historian admits he found 20 nights shooting at London's Natural History Museum a gruelling experience.

He told Sky News: "The first night you think, 'My God this is rather interesting'. Night two you think, 'Yes, well I hope this isn't going to go on much longer'. On day three you think, 'This is absolutely ghastly. Where is a bar of chocolate to console me?'

"But then by night four you are switched and it's as though you have gone to Australia. You're time-lagged.

"But lots of people at 87 spend their nights awake for worse reasons than mine."

His 90-minute film Natural History Museum Alive 3D brings his favourite ancient creatures to life with spectacular 3D and CGI effects.

Sir David's new film is set in London's Natural History Museum

As he explores the museum alone in the middle of the night, Sir David offers his scientific insight as he appears to interact with a sabre-toothed tiger, giant predatory birds, snakes, and dinosaurs.

"I have a bit of a qualm because here I am, a natural historian, and I'm supposed to be dealing with real creatures and what I say is supposed to be true and yet now I have to act a bit, to pretend there's a Dodo there," he says.

"Am I trying to deceive people? Well, we got rid of that problem by making some of the creatures we bring to life simply skeletons - they don't even have skin or feathers or scales, so that people know that this is a trick.

"But I hope they will believe in me as a natural historian enough to know that we're making it as truthful as we can, but at the same time playing this particular game.

"This museum is the great treasure house of natural history. I was a boy in the 30s and living in the Midlands, and to come to London to the Natural History Museum was an enormous thrill.

Sir David filmed at the museum for 20 nights

"It's an astonishment. Kids come in and their jaws sag."

Sir David, who has been making nature documentaries since the 1950s, insists he has no plans to retire and says he is still brimming with ideas for programmes.

"There are a lot of people at 87, friends of mine, who aren't in the position to be doing what I'm doing," he said.

"They don't get about as much or can't remember as much. Who knows what old age is going to do to you?

"And the fact that I feel relatively spry, I feel that I would be very ungrateful if I decided I wasn't going to take advantage of that good fortune.

"Last night I was finishing a script on the evolution of flight amongst animals."

Sir David's Natural History Museum Alive 3D airs on Sky 3D and Sky1 HD on New Year's Day.

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New Year Honours: Women Overtake Men

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent

More women than men have been named in the New Year Honours List for the first time ever.

Actress Penelope Keith is made a dame along with Professor Julia Slingo, chief scientist at the Met Office, and Professor Susan Bailey, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Singer Katherine Jenkins, actress Lynda Bellingham and Arsenal Ladies footballer Rachel Yankey all receive OBEs, while businesswoman Karren Brady gets a CBE.

Ruth Jones, star and co-writer of Stella and Gavin & Stacey, is awarded an MBE.

Ruth Jones gets an MBE

In all, 611 women are honoured, accounting for 51% of the list, the highest total since the Order of the British Empire was founded in 1917.

Keith said she was "elated, exhausted and thrilled."

The 73-year-old, known for her crisp diction and roles in sitcoms such as To The Manor Born and The Good Life, receives her honour for services to the arts and to charity.

She said: "It's the big one. I had already got an OBE and then a CBE, so I don't know what is better than the icing on the cake - but this is."

Former England footballer David Beckham and Wimbledon winner Andy Murray had both been tipped for knighthoods but both missed out.

Marcus Setchell, the doctor who oversaw the safe delivery of Prince George, is recognised for his work caring for the Duchess of Cambridge.

Michael Crawford picks up a CBE

Actor Michael Crawford, who played Frank Spencer in 1970s sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, said his CBE for services to children's charities was "the most wonderful surprise".

The parents of murdered teenager Jimmy Mizen were given MBEs for their work setting up a foundation in their son's memory.

Mother Margaret Mizen told Sky News that she heard about the award in November but had to keep it secret.

"I just couldn't believe it I was in total shock," she said.

"We were determined not to be beaten by what happened.

"We go into schools and prisons and we share Jimmy's story but we don't go in telling them what to do, to put their knives down or put their guns down ... but we tell them how special they are."

Julie Bailey, who led the campaign to highlight the scandal at Stafford hospital, dedicated her CBE to her late mother Bella.

She told Sky News: "We haven't let powerful people silence us and brush it under the carpet we have just kept our heads down and kept going with dignity and respect."

MBEs have also been awarded to DJ Pete Tong, Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud and 90-year-old Bettina Dawson, who has been serving fish and chips to the people of Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway since 1928.

PM David Cameron has also faced criticism for "cronyism" over honours handed out to people close to him.

His close friend PR firm boss Alan Parker is knighted.  Karren Brady has worked as a Government business advisor.

In Mr Cameron's constituency Marion Dowding becomes an MBE for voluntary political service. She was once deputy chairman of the Witney Conservative Association and now runs the local Tory Supper Club.

Lib Dem peer Lord Oakeshott told Sky News: "Far too many go to the rich and famous and people who give money to political parties.

"It should be just for the unsung heroes, just for the people who do their job year-in year-out in exceptional circumstances."

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Northern Ireland: No Agreement At Haass Talks

Northern Ireland's main political parties have failed to reach an agreement after marathon overnight talks led by US diplomat Richard Haass.

Dr Haass said all parties supported aspects of a proposed agreement on how to deal with flags, disputed parades and the legacy of the Troubles, but a number of concerns remained.

The next step, he said, would be to form a working group made up of representatives from the five parties which would aim to build on the "significant progress" that had already been achieved.

There was a chance that all the parties would back all or key parts of his proposals in the future, he added.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams says an agreement has not been reached

Dr Haass said: "The choice is not between the text and some ideal.

"Rather it is the choice between going forward with an agreement of this sort which necessarily represents some compromise, and the status quo." 

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams indicated his party was ready to strike a full deal, and urged all those involved "to reflect upon the process" - but he said the talks could not continue forever.

The DUP and Ulster Unionists both indicated they had major difficulties with elements of the text.

Ulster Unionist negotiator Jeffrey Donaldson MP said his team "profoundly disapprove" of some of the report's language.  

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) said it would also be conducting a consultation, but party leader Alasdair McDonnell said he would be recommending a general endorsement of the proposals.

Alliance party deputy leader Naomi Long said she was willing to endorse proposals on the past, but not on flags and parades.

Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said: "It is disappointing that it has not been possible to reach a comprehensive agreement on flags, parading and the past within the timetable set out by Dr Haass and his team.

"Yet this should not be seen as the end of the road in seeking to find a way forward on these difficult and divisive issues.

"The Haass process has seen much valuable work done involving the political parties along with groups and individuals from across the community. Significant progress has been made. It is important to build on this and continue to seek agreement in areas that continue to be a focus for tension and division within society."

Dr Haass and his vice-chair Professor Meghan O'Sullivan - America's former deputy national security advisor on Iraq and Afghanistan - returned to Belfast on Saturday.

The talks were suspended in the early hours of Christmas Eve, but Dr Haass said the proposals on the table were "extraordinarily close" to gaining support.

He had set a deadline of noon on Monday for a deal to be reached.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness invited Dr Haass after weeks of unrest over flags and marches.

There were serious disturbances last December and January when Belfast City Council voted to limit the number of days the Union flag is flown on City Hall.

Rioting flared during the summer marching season too when the Parades Commission prohibited an Orange Order return march at Ardoyne in north Belfast.

Agreement on when flags should be flown has proven most elusive and the parties may decide to defer that issue to another process after the next election.

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North Sea Ferry Arson: Man Appears In Court

A man has appeared in court charged with arson intending to endanger lives after a fire on a North Sea ferry led to an emergency evacuation.

Boden Hughes, 26, of Sunderland, was initially charged with arson following the fire on the DFDS ferry on Saturday but the charge was amended to a more serious charge at North Shields Magistrates' Court today.

The fire is thought to have caused damage worth £815,000.

Four crew members and two passengers had to be winched off the DFDS King Seaways ferry after they inhaled smoke when the fire broke out 30 miles off the Humberside coast.

The ferry fire broke out at around 10.45pm on Saturday

The six people were taken to Scarborough Hospital by RAF helicopter but were not said to be in a serious condition.

A further 15 passengers and eight crew members were treated by doctors for smoke-related injuries on board the ferry after the fire, which started in a cabin at around 10.45pm. It was extinguished within 15 minutes.

The 30,000-tonne ship returned to Newcastle Ferry Port, in North Shields, at around 4am on Sunday but passengers were kept on board until 9am while police investigated.

The 26-year-old ship, which has room for 1,500 passengers and 600 cars, was carrying 946 passengers and 127 crew when the fire broke out.

A 28-year-old man who was also detained on suspicion of affray has been bailed pending further enquiries.

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Debenhams Profits Warning After Poor Xmas Sales

Debenhams has announced it will be slashing prices after issuing a profits warning following poor Christmas sales.

Shares in Britain's second-largest department store plunged by as much as 13% on Tuesday after it disclosed profits nearly £30m lower than last year.

In a statement released by Debenhams management, they say that they now "expect the need for additional markdown to clear stock in January and February".

The store said that while online sales had increased they had not done so significantly enough and that the "final surge" in sales they had expected around Christmas had failed to materialise.

It blamed the poor performance on the continuing decline of the high street, the impact of the recession on household incomes and the bad weather.

The retailer is planning to slash prices in January and February

Michael Sharp, chief executive of Debenhams, said: "As has been widely commented on in the media, the market was highly promotional in the run up to Christmas and we responded to these conditions to ensure our offer was competitive.

"However, this extremely difficult environment has inevitably had an impact on both our sales and profitability.

"Looking forward, I expect conditions to remain highly competitive as we enter 2014. Everyone in the organisation is focused on improving performance and growing the business, building on the four pillars of our strategy which I remain confident will lead to success over the longer term."

The announcement, which had been due on January 17 but was brought forward because of the results, saw the retailer reveal an £85m profit for the 17 weeks to December 28 – some way off the £114.7m in the same period last year, a 26% drop.

The company's statement showed that online sales had increased by 27% during that time and accounted for 15.6% of total sales, compared to 12.4% for the same period last year.

However, the income from online delivery was, it said, still lower than had been anticipated.

It comes after the high street spending spree dubbed 'Manic Monday' that had been predicted for December 23, failed to materialise because of the strong winds and heavy rains.

Analysts had expected 15 million people to take to stores, spending £2.6m a minute on gifts, food, drink and decorations.

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Crawley House Explosion Claims Woman's Life

A woman in her 50s has died after an explosion at a house in Crawley, West Sussex.

Police were called to the address in Banks Road at 12.30pm.

A woman was taken from the property and treated by paramedics but died at the scene shortly afterwards. There is not believed to have been anyone else in the house.

It is unclear what caused the blast, but it is not thought to be suspicious.

Damage was confined to the interior of the house and no other properties were affected.

More follows...

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Veteran Comedian John Fortune Dies Aged 74

Comedian John Fortune, who was best known for the series Bremner, Bird And Fortune, has died aged 74.

The veteran satirist's agent, Vivienne Clore, said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that I write of the death of John Fortune this morning aged 74.

"He died peacefully with his wife, Emma and dog Grizelle, at his bedside.

"A renowned satirist, early work included contributions to Peter Cook's Establishment club and more latterly his work with long term collaborator, John Bird and Rory Bremner.

"He is survived by his adored wife, Emma and three children."

Bird (left), Bremner (centre) and Fortune

Bremner tweeted: ""I'm so sorry to let you know that my friend John Fortune died this morning.

"Lovely man, dear friend, brilliant & fearless satirist."

Fortune enjoyed a long working relationship with Bird, appearing together in A Series Of Bird's in 1967, The Long Johns in 1995 and in Bremner, Bird And Fortune between 1999 and 2007.

The duo were particularly adept at playing self-satisfied but bumbling establishment figures, such as politicians, bankers and military officers.

Fortune was also a popular character actor in feature films such as Match Point, The Tailor Of Panama and Calendar Girls.

Other TV roles included parts in New Tricks, Yes Minister and Murder Most Horrid.

John Challis, best known for his role as Boycie in Only Fools And Horses, tweeted: ""So sad to hear that John Fortune has died.

"I played henchman to his chief villain in Cat's Eyes and we laughed a lot. Another goodun gone."

And Stephen Fry tweeted: "Oh how sad John Fortune has died. He was in the first play I was ever in, 40 Years On. Huge influence on the satire boom. Loved parrots too."

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Bosham Murder Hunt As Woman Found Dead

A 55-year-old woman has been found dead at a family home she was looking after during the holidays in a picturesque south coast seaside village.

The victim, named by police as Valerie Graves, was discovered with a serious head injury at the house at Smuggler's Lane, in Bosham, near Chichester, West Sussex, on Monday at 9.50am.

Mrs Graves, of Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex, who had two grown-up children, had been staying at the six-bedroomed house with three members of her family while the owners, listed as Malcolm and Jane Chamberlain, and their two children were away over the Christmas holidays.

Police teams working at the house on Tuesday

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "They (the owners) have people staying in the house while they are away for the holidays, it could be friends, it could be family.

"It is not rented out, people come because it is a nice place to visit. We do not know who they were, they have been there since Christmas.

"There were cars parked in the drive, they were entirely well-behaved, they came gently and went gently, we heard absolutely nothing."

The home has children's play equipment in the garden outside

She added: "I am just very sad for our neighbours and for everybody. You can't imagine coming back from holiday to this, it must be just horrendous."

Police said that the death was being treated as suspicious and was being investigated by detectives from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Fanner said: "At this stage we are keeping an open mind as to the motive, but we are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area from late afternoon on Sunday, December 29 to around 9am on Monday, December 30.

"Please call us if you know anything, no matter how insignificant you might think it is. It could be important to the investigation.

"This is a rare incident for Bosham, which is a safe area. We have increased our neighbourhood policing patrols in the village and if anyone has any information or concerns, I would urge them to speak to one of the officers who are there."

Forensics officers were working at the home, which is valued at £1.5m and has children's playground equipment outside, on Tuesday morning. 

Bosham has a rich history and legend has it that King Canute  lived  in the village and it was there he ordered the waves to retreat.

Bosham church features on the Bayeux tapestry and King Harold sailed for Normandy from Quay Meadow in 1064.

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Stag Seriously Injures Woman In Highlands

A Cambridge academic has been seriously injured on holiday after being gored by a stag in a "bizarre and horrific" attack.

Dr Kate Stone is said to be fighting for her life after being wounded by the animal near Fort William in the Highlands.

She had to be airlifted to hospital in Glasgow and is understood to be in intensive care, with injuries to her neck and spine caused by the stag's antlers.

The attack happened in the early hours of Monday, December 30, when Dr Stone and a group of friends were standing outside a private home in Lochailort.

The Press and Journal newspaper reports that the animal appeared to single out Dr Stone, who at six foot was the tallest of the group.

The research engineer had been on a short break. Pic: Kate Stone/Facebook

Her friends initially thought she had just been knocked over in the attack, but it soon became apparent she had been badly hurt.

Dr Stone, who was born a man but changed gender in 2007, studied at Cambridge for a PhD in physics and microelectronics, and is now a research engineer at the university's institute of manufacturing.

She also established her own successful start-up company, Novalia, which looks "at making anything that's printed interactive".

She was among a group on a short break in the Highlands, and had been at a ceilidh in Lochailort Inn.

They were staying at the nearby Mo-Dhachaidh B&B owned by Gary Burton.

Mr Burton said he heard about the attack when one of Dr Stone's friends returned at around 2.30am.

"I think what happened was that the stag panicked. It was trapped in a fenced garden having got through a gate. I don't think there was anywhere else to go and it charged out of the gate," he said.

"It's very bizarre and very horrific."

The group was left shocked by the attack but managed to help Dr Stone and contact the emergency services, Mr Burton said.

"The last I heard was late last night that Kate is still in intensive care," said Mr Burton, who explained the community had never experience a stag attack like this before.

He said: "This is a one-in-a-million event which has shocked the whole community. We are at one with nature in Lochailort, and we have deer all around us.

"We are all hoping and praying that Kate pulls through.

"I don't pry into our guests' personal lives but I had a conversation with Kate and I know she is a very outdoors person, and loves camping and walking.

"It would be a tragedy if she couldn't do that any more."

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