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Murdered Club Owner's Son Appears In Court

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 16 Desember 2014 | 23.17

The son of stabbed London nightclub tycoon David West has appeared in court charged with his murder.

The 44-year-old, who has the same name as his father, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court where the case was referred to the Old Bailey.

The body of Mr West, 70, was found at an address near Piccadilly - believed to be his home - on Friday night.

The cause of death was a single stab wound, according to a post-mortem examination.

Mr West reportedly owned the nightclub Hey Jo, as well as Russian restaurant Abracadabra.

He made millions selling alcohol from a Calais warehouse having started out with a flower and grocery stall at Romford market.

In 2007 he hit the headlines after he hired Cherie Blair to mount a legal challenge against the smoking ban.

Friends have described him as a flamboyant figure who reportedly bought the title of "Lord of the Manor of Hollesley" on eBay.

Neighbour Stephen Fry told The Sun that he heard "horrifying screams" on Friday night and wondered what was going on.

"I looked out the window and saw Dave's body taken out of his home and placed on the road outside.

"The emergency services were desperately trying to revive him but were unfortunately unable to do so.

"I saw them place a cloak over him after he had passed away. It's an absolute tragedy."


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Inflation At 12-Year Low As Key Prices Fall

Plunging fuel and food costs left the core measure of inflation at a 12-year low last month, official figures have shown.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) calculated the consumer prices index (CPI) at an annual rate of 1% in November - showing costs were rising at a weaker pace than wages overall as the Christmas shopping season got underway.

The ONS credited a 5.9% fall in fuel prices compared to November 2013 and a 1.7% drop in food costs over the same period as supermarkets battled for market share amid the continuing price war.

In addition to the lower grocery costs, it has been supermarkets which have led the way in cuts to fuel costs, with both unleaded and diesel falling by 3p-per-litre in November alone as the chains use cheaper fuel prices to bolster their wider offering.

Separate industry figures, released by Kantar WorldPanel, suggested cheaper groceries had meant savings for shoppers of £182m over the past 12 weeks.

November's inflation figure marked a surprise easing in the rate, given that economists were expecting a flat picture after CPI was measured at 1.3% in October.

But the strength of sterling in recent months, combined with dramatic declines in oil prices, have also helped push down inflation by cutting import costs.

The ONS said computer game costs contributed to the decline in the inflation rate, too.

It means Bank of England governor Mark Carney only just avoids having to write to the Chancellor George Osborne to explain why inflation is more than 1% off the bank's 2% target.

Mr Carney has already acknowledged that he is likely to have to write to Mr Osborne in the coming months as oil costs continue to decline.

CPI has not been as low since September 2002 and was last lower in June 2002.

The fall in inflation adds to hopes of a rise in real-terms wages which have lagged behind the increasing cost of living for six years.

Additional figures from the ONS, due on Wednesday, are tipped to show wages growing at an annual rate of 1.5% - suggesting that the squeeze on earnings is easing in the short term.


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Designer's 'Magical Journey' Closes For Good

A Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen-designed Christmas experience is closing early, just weeks after it was widely criticised.

The Magical Journey experience at the Belfry Hotel, near Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, had originally closed just a day after it was originally launched in late November but later reopened after a series of "improvements".

On Monday it closed for good after a major financial backer pulled out with nine opening days left.

The organisers said they had been "left in the lurch" and could not find a replacement backer.

The celebrity interior designer told the Press Association he was "extremely surprised" after finding out on Twitter his experience had been shut down.

Mr Llewelyn-Bowen, who shot to fame on BBC's Changing Rooms, said he had not given any financial support to the project and was unaware who the backer was.

He said: "It's absolutely shocking. We found out by Twitter. Everybody was in bed feeling Christmassy and now we are not feeling very Christmassy at all.

"I was really impressed with the way they addressed all the issues the first time around and the energy and resources that went into it so I'm extremely surprised the towel's been thrown in at this stage.

"I feel appalling it is not the happy experience I really want it to be. I feel extremely sorry for everybody let down in the next nine days and also for the staff who worked on the front-line. I'm hoping they will get their money back.

"On a personal level I was so excited by the idea of designing Christmas."

He said in hindsight the group he worked with to deliver the project was not experienced enough for the type of event.

"I was just commissioned to create some design concepts for the experience," he said. "There was no financial backing from my point of view and no involvement in the management.

"I feel very much I was the designer and I'm a very public face so people are cross with me."

The presenter added he would be donating his fee, the amount of which he would not confirm, to a Birmingham children's hospice and said: "I do not want to make any money at all out of this experience."

A statement on the Magical Journey's website said: "We are really sorry to have to tell you this, but as of tomorrow (Tuesday 16 December 2014) The Magical Journey, based at The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, will no longer be in operation.

"We are truly sorry. After all we've been through having to shutdown in the final week is devastating. Although we had quite the time of it in the press and on social media, feedback was great with over 600 four and five star reviews."

The website said that anyone who has bought tickets and wants their money back should use the Chargeback scheme.

The experience is the latest in a series of Christmas-themed attractions to suffer criticism over the last couple of years for providing poor value for money.


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G4S Guards Cleared Over Deportee Death

Three security guards have been cleared of manslaughter over the death of a deportee on a plane at Heathrow airport.

The former G4S custody officers, Terrence Hughes, Colin Kaler and Stuart Tribelnig, were on trial over the death of Angolan man Jimmy Mubenga.

They were accused of forcing Mr Mubenga's head down and restricting his breathing for 36 minutes as the flight prepared for take off.

By the time crew raised the alarm on 12 October 2010 Mr Mubenga had gone into cardiac arrest. He died later in hospital.

Some passengers said they had heard him crying out for air, but the guards denied the claims.

The three men were in tears as the not guilty verdict was read out at the Old Bailey.

Mr Mubenga, who had been in the UK since 1994, was in the process of applying for permission to stay permanently when it was decided he should be deported after serving two years in jail for assault.

Prosecutors had claimed Mr Mubenga was already handcuffed behind his back and wearing his seatbelt after becoming agitated on the plane.

A section of the Boeing 777 with three rows of seats was reconstructed in court to help jurors understand the case.

Jurors were also invited to wear the handcuffs to experience how Mr Mubenga might have felt.

One witness, Nicholas Herbig, from New Mexico, said the deportee had clearly been in distress and was "very loud".

He told the court: "He was saying 'All you people are watching them kill me. I can't breathe. They are going to kill me'."

But all three men denied doing anything wrong and said they had not used the "carpet karaoke" restraint.

The technique involves pushing a seated person's head forward, compressing their diaphragm to subdue them.

"He was never forced down with his head forced beneath his knees," said Terrence Hughes, who comes from Portsmouth.

Stuart Tribelnig, from Horley in Surrey, said he had not heard Mr Mubenga "say anything about air".

An inquest last year ruled that the 43-year-old was unlawfully killed and led to the CPS reconsidering manslaughter charges.

The jury in the criminal case was not told of the inquest verdict for legal reasons, or that two of the defendants - Hughes and Tribelnig - had "very racially offensive material" on their phones.

No charges were brought against security giant G4S after prosecutors decided there was not enough evidence.

A statement for the three men said: "They bitterly regret the death of Mr Mubenga but have always said they were trying to do a very difficult job in difficult circumstances to the best of their ability.

"They are grateful to the judge and jury for the care they have taken resolving these sad events."


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David Cameron Launches Home Discount Scheme

A scheme offering 100,000 first-time buyers new homes with a discount of 20% as part of a drive to help people onto the property ladder will be launched by David Cameron later.

Those under 40 who have never owned their own home can register their interest in buying via the Starter Home Initiative from the start of 2015 - six months earlier than planned.

Because of a change to the planning system set to come into force, under-used or unviable brownfield land will be freed from certain costs in return for a below market value sale price on properties constructed on the site.

Developers and councils are being urged to ensure the changes unlock a variety of sites across the country.

Mr Cameron said: "Hard-working young people want to plan for the future and enjoy the security of being able to own their own home. I want to help them do just that.

"Under this scheme, first-time buyers will be offered the chance of a 20% discount, unlocking home ownership for a generation.

"This is all part of our long-term economic plan to secure a better future for Britain, making sure we are backing those who work hard and get on in life."

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "The 2008 housing crash blocked millions of hard-working, creditworthy people from becoming home-owners, at a time in their lives when they should have been able to expect to get on the property ladder.

"We're turning that around with Help to Buy, but today's new Starter Homes scheme will offer a further boost, giving young people (under 40) the opportunity to buy low-cost, high-quality new homes for significantly less than they would normally expect."

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said the initiative is "another positive step" in tackling the shortage of housing.

At the moment, developers can face an average bill of £15,000 per home in Section 106 affordable housing contributions and tariffs.

But under the scheme, developers offering Starter Homes would not have to pay certain charges.

To ensure the savings are passed onto buyers, the homes will not be able to be re-sold at market value for a fixed period.

More than 30 house builders have already backed the plans, and say they would consider bringing forward land to be developed from next year.

A design panel will be set up to ensure the homes are not only cheap, but also high-quality.

Renowned architect Sir Terry Farrell, who is on the panel, said it could make a real difference.

He added it would build on the recommendations of the Farrell Review, which raised the need for more proactive planning.

Sir Terry said: "Only by planning and designing our villages, towns and cities together with local communities can we create the kind of built environment we all aspire to and should be demanding."

Shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds said no-one would believe the PM's promises on the issue, and added: "The only way to restore the dream of home ownership is to build more homes and Labour has a plan to get at least 200,000 homes built a year by 2020.

"We are in favour of building starter homes but it is not clear how the Government is going to deliver these homes 20% cheaper than market price."


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'English And Welsh Votes' Plans Set Out

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

The Conservatives have set out plans to reduce the influence of Scottish MPs over laws that affect only England and Wales.

William Hague, the leader of the House of Commons, has published a Command paper with three options. They are:

:: A total ban on Scottish MPs having any say in English or Welsh legislation

:: A veto for English MPs over laws that only affect their constituents

:: A committee of England-only MPs that would scrutinise legislation, with a say during at least the early stages of policy-making

Many Tory MPs would like to see a full system of English votes for English laws.

They have been loudly demanding the change ever since the Westminster parties made a "vow" of further devolution to Scotland.

But Labour is cautious about any change because it has 41 MPs north of the border and fears the impact of English-only votes.

It is possible that Labour could have a UK-wide majority that is lost without their Scottish MPs, meaning they could be in power but unable to pass key legislation, such as a Budget, through Parliament.

There is a suggestion that Downing Street favours the veto option, while Labour would prefer a committee with much weaker powers.

The Lib Dems want a grand committee composed in proportion not to the number of MPs that each party has in Westminster, but to their vote share at the election.

David Laws, the Lib Dem schools minister, said that would be consistent with how power was devolved to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in the late 1990s.


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Black Friday Drives Huge Online Sales Spike

A report suggests online retailers are on target for record Christmas sales following the largest monthly spike for 14-years in November.

The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index said Black Friday was behind the surge.

Online sales rose 37% month-on-month and 20% year-on-year in November, with consumers eager to bag a bargain spending an estimated £12.1bn.

Online sales rose 44% in the week beginning 23 November when Black Friday offers began, culminating in the day itself on 28 November.

The Black Friday shopping frenzy is a US-import and was introduced there on the day after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Those who ventured out to shops to cash in on the pre-Christmas offers encountered long queues and stampedes for items such as TVs and laptops.

Website traffic was also delayed as online stores were swamped.

IMRG said the best performing sectors in November were gifts, up 154% month-on-month, health and beauty, up 99%, and electricals, up 71% month-on-month and 22% year-on-year.

Its chief information officer, Tina Spooner, said: "The unprecedented level of traffic to retail websites over Black Friday weekend resulted in a significant spike in online sales during the last week of November.

"In fact, sales on Black Friday alone surged 135% year-on-year as consumers flocked to retail websites on what turned out to be the busiest online shopping day of the year to date.

"Many retailers reported that Black Friday was their biggest ever day for online sales, however some reported a slowdown in sales in the days leading up to Black Friday as consumers waited for discounts and promotions before starting their Christmas shopping.

"Consequently, last month we saw the steepest October to November growth in the 14-year history of the index, with sales up 37% month-on-month.

"Although average spend per shopper was down about 9% from the previous month, overall estimated spend reached a staggering £12.1bn in November and it looks like we are on target for another record-breaking Christmas with estimated spend set to break the £100bn barrier by the end of this year."


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Ex-Teacher Guilty Of Abusing Kenya Street Boys

A former public school teacher has been convicted of sexually abusing vulnerable young Kenyan street boys.

Charity boss Simon Harris, 55, had denied luring vulnerable boys using food, money and the promise of schooling to his home in the East African country where prosecutors said the abuse happened.

Harris, from Pudleston in Herefordshire, has been on trial at Birmingham Crown Court for nine weeks.

The trial has seen testimony from witnesses over a 6,500-mile video link.

The jury unanimously found Harris guilty of five sex assaults, including against a victim as young as nine, and on two counts of indecent assault.

He was also found to be guilty of four counts of possessing indecent images of children.

However, jurors acquitted him of seven charges including rape, attempted rape and sexual assault.

Judge Philip Parker QC has told the jury he will accept majority verdicts on the remaining five offences, which include an allegation of rape against a child under 13.

Sky's Enda Brady said the court heard how Harris used his position as a charity worker to abuse the youngsters.

It is the first time new legislation has been used to successfully prosecute a British citizen for offences committed in Africa.

More follows...


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Man Stabbed After 'Verbal Altercation' Named

A man murdered following a "verbal altercation" with a group of youths outside his home has been named as Christopher John Barry.

Scotland Yard say the 53-year-old was also known as Jack.

The victim was stabbed at his home in Edmonton, north London, on Sunday evening after he was said to have been involved in dispute with a group trying to get into a party at another address in the block of flats.

Four boys - three aged 14 and one 13-year-old - arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail.

They must return to an east London police station on a date in late January pending further inquiries, according to police.

A second 13-year-old boy, also held on on suspicion of murder, remains in custody.

A post-mortem on Monday found the cause of death was a stab wound to the chest.

Mr Barry is thought to have become involved in an argument with a group of boys as he attempted to get into the flats in The Broadway.

He was allegedly followed into the building by two of the boys and stabbed.

Detective Chief Inspector Neale Baldock, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, who is heading the investigation, said: "Our initial inquiries have established that there was a supervised party taking place at another address within the block and the group of males were trying to gain access to this.

"The victim and this group were not known to each other - what started as a minor verbal altercation has escalated into a shocking act of violence."


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Daniel Craig Spotted Filming Spectre In London

Daniel Craig has taken to the water in London to shoot the first scenes for the 24th James Bond film, Spectre.

Film crews have been spotted on the Thames and on a section of canal at Camden Town.

Craig stood on board a speed boat alongside Rory Kinnear, who plays MI6's Bill Tanner in the franchise, and jokingly swore at the camera once he noticed he was being filmed.

Earlier in the week Craig was spotted speeding past the MI6 in Vauxhall.

The filming comes just days after it emerged that an early version of the Spectre screenplay was among the items stolen by hackers who carried out a cyber-attack on Sony Pictures.

The hacking also revealed that the film will cost $300m (£180m) - making it the most expensive Bond film ever.

The title for the 24th Bond movie, which stands for Special Executive for Counterintelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion, was announced earlier this month, along with new cast members Christoph Waltz, David Bautista, Andrew Scott and Bond girls Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux.

As well as in London, filming is taking place at Pinewood Studios and on location in Italy, Morocco, Mexico and Austria.

The film is due for release in November next year.

The last Bond film, Skyfall, was the most successful yet, taking more than $1.1bn worldwide.


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Top UKIP Official Denies Harassment Claim

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 09 Desember 2014 | 23.17

By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent

UKIP's general secretary has denied allegations he sexually harassed a high-profile candidate.

Roger Bird has been suspended after claims he sexually propositioned a newly recruited member on the same day he interviewed her as a prospective candidate.

Natasha Bolter - one of UKIP's most high-profile ethnic minority candidates - has now quit the party.

She pulled out of Tuesday's hustings in the target seat of South Basildon, where she was widely expected to be selected as the party's candidate.

A teacher who switched allegiance from Labour, Ms Bolter was applauded and cheered when she addressed UKIP's conference in Doncaster in September.

At the time she said: "We are an equal party, we have women at centre stage."

A spokesman for the party said: "Unfortunately, UKIP has had to suspend Mr Bird pending a full investigation into allegations made against him.

"The party has acted swiftly and decisively and will not tolerate impropriety of any kind amongst its staff."

Sky News understands that concerns about the selection process were first raised on 5 November, and an internal inquiry was launched the following day.

An initial report was produced on 11 November after an interview with Natasha Bolter.

It is understood that other people within the party contacted UKIP's chairman to express their unhappiness about the allegations during this period.

At an internal management meeting on 14 November, it was decided the claims were serious enough to bring in an independent HR consultant who was commissioned to look into the matter.

After interviews were conducted with Natasha Bolter, Roger Bird and other parties a draft report was seen by UKIP officials - including Nigel Farage - on Sunday, 7 December.

As a result, Roger Bird was suspended from the party.

A UKIP spokesman: "We don't think we could have acted any faster. We hope to complete the inquiry into Roger Bird as soon as possible."


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Police Fully Aware Of Vulnerability To Attack

The threat to kidnap and kill a West Midlands police officer sounds like it was motivated by terrorism rather than criminality, although the force won't reveal which it was.

If it was terror, what an irony that such an anonymous call could clear the streets of some bobbies at a time when senior police chiefs are complaining that Government spending cuts are making it more difficult for them to keep the public safe.

A lot of cops will see that as a small victory for the bad guys.

There must have been something credible in the call that made the force react so dramatically, demanding some officers return to base for two hours for a security briefing.

All forces must be reviewing their own security, though it's difficult to believe that any officer needs reminding of the vulnerability to physical attack from a terrorist.

We know it is not the first threat of its kind.

And it's a threat that could be easily carried out, especially by a jihadi not worried about being caught.

Several years ago forces insisted officers patrol the streets alone, instead of the traditional pairs, except in high-risk areas.

It was criticised by many officers who said they would feel more vulnerable.

Others said it was simply a move to give the impression of more bobbies on the beat while budget cuts reduced staff numbers.

And how safe would you feel today if you were on the streets of Birmingham as a less-trained Police Community Support Officer with fewer powers than a cop with a warrant card?

Many officers I know have taken basic precautions for years. They don't wear their uniform to and from work and they don't appear on the national voter list database. Some don't even tell their neighbours what they do for a living.

The police federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, has long advocated non-uniform travel.

But not wearing a uniform while off-duty is no guarantee of safety. Any clean-cut adult entering or leaving a police station could be seen as a target by a determined killer.


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Missing Madeleine: Police Question Witnesses

By Robert Nisbet, Europe Correspondent, in Portugal

Detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have begun interviewing 11 people considered witnesses in the seven-year mystery.

Police from the British-led investigation Operation Grange will be in attendance, but it is understood Portuguese officers from the Policia Judiciaria will lead the questioning.

Seven of the number were originally going to be questioned as 'arguidos', which means they are treated as formal suspects but have not been charged with a crime.

However, now all 11 are being interviewed as witnesses to the disappearance of Madeleine who vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007 while her parents Gerry and Kate were dining with friends nearby.

It is believed that one of the men police will question as a witness is Robert Murat who was declared an arguido by Portuguese police in the initial investigation.

He was later cleared and won substantial libel payouts from several media organisations.

Mr Murat says he is happy to help the investigation and has nothing to hide.

It is believed the interviews will be attended by Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall who will officially take over control of Operation Grange on 22 December after the departure of DCI Andy Redwood.

Earlier this year, Scotland Yard detectives returned to Portugal to help interview several people over the case.

It followed on from searches of three areas of land near the Ocean Club, the hotel where the McCanns were staying.

Portuguese and British investigators excavated an area of scrubland to the west of the resort at the start of June but found no evidence related to the case.

Portuguese police closed their investigation in 2008, but the Metropolitan Police launched its own inquiry three years later.


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Family: Four Years Of Hell And Still No Answers

Moments after Shrien Dewani was ruled not guilty of murder, his wife Anni's family told Sky News: "The justice system has failed us."

Ms Dewani's sister Ami Denborg was in tears as she spoke to Sky News Special Correspondent Alex Crawford outside the court in Cape Town.

And later, in an interview with Sky News Tonight, Ms Denborg and her brother Anish Hindocha explained why the family was so distraught that a judge had decided to throw out the case against Mr Dewani without him even being called to give evidence.

"We don't care if he's innocent or guilty, we just want to know what happened to Anni," said Ms Denborg. 

"The only way to find out was to hear Shrien under cross-examination under oath telling his version of events. That right has just been taken away from us.

"We've been patient because we had hoped we'd get to the truth but today we just don't know what to think - we were so disappointed and so sad because this means we'll never, ever get to find out."

Asked how the family had coped since Anni was murdered in 2010, her brother added: "It's been very tough for our family. We've had four years of hell, literally.

"To see my parents wake up at 3am or 4am every day is a nightmare. What we're trying to do is be strong in front of them but it's been very difficult to cope with."

After the trial collapsed, Ms Denborg struggled to contain her emotions as she read a family statement.   

Her brother collapsed in tears as she said: "The knowledge of not knowing is going to haunt us for the rest of our lives.

"We had four years of sleepless nights and we will never be able to sleep."

Mr Dewani had declared himself a bisexual on the first day of his trial - something Anni and her family had not known.

Her uncle Ashok Hindocha said Ms Dewani would never have agreed to the marriage if she had known about her husband's "secret sex life" and confirmed the family would speak to lawyers about bringing a civil case against Mr Dewani in the UK.

Mr Hindocha added: "As far as Anni's grief-stricken parents are concerned, they would not wish the torture they have endured onto any other mother of father.

"They will live forever with the warm and magical memories of Anni, but these memories will always be tinged with the pain of the fact that closure has not been afforded them."

Mr Dewani's family hugged and cried tears of joy after the verdict was announced.

A relative who spoke through the intercom at the family's home in Bristol told Sky News: "We are very happy."

Nathi Mncube, a spokesman for South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority, said he believed the authorities were right to pursue the case, despite anger at the amount of taxpayers' money spent to bring Mr Dewani before the court.

He said: "Obviously, we are very disappointed with the outcome today. When we started with the trial this is not what we set out to achieve.

"We believed there was evidence, otherwise we would not have taken the case to court."

Emotions were also running high on the steps of the courthouse, where a lobby group chanted: "Justice for Anni."


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Ebola Survivor: Band Aid Single 'Cringeworthy'

The British nurse who survived Ebola has criticised the Band Aid charity single for its "cultural ignorance" which he believes is "cringeworthy".

William Pooley was flown back to London after catching the disease in Sierra Leone but following his cure has returned to Africa once more.

He urged people who want to help fight Ebola to donate money to charities working with patients directly.

Mr Pooley criticised the lyrics in the reworked version of Do They Know It's Christmas? featuring One Direction, Bono and Ed Sheeran and put together by Bob Geldof.

"On the way into work I heard the first half of it. It's definitely being talked about here among my colleagues," he told Radio Times magazine.

"It's Africa, not another planet. That sort of cultural ignorance is a bit cringeworthy. There's a lyric about 'death in every tear'. It's just a bit much."

Asked if he had a message for British people who want to help fight the epidemic, he said: "I would say that it's a good idea to read as much as you can about what's going on in West Africa, and if you feel so inclined then donate some money to one of the charities, like King's, that are working out here, directly caring for Ebola patients."

His comments come after pop star Emeli Sande, who featured in Band Aid 30, said the song needed rewriting.

She apologised "if the lyrics of the song have caused offence" and said that new lyrics she and African artist Angelique Kidjo recorded did not make the final version.

Lily Allen said she turned down a request to sing on the record, saying: "I prefer to do my charitable bit by donating actual money".

The new recording - which became the fastest selling single of the year - marks the 30th anniversary of the song, which was originally put together to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.

Last month Geldof used some colourful language to dismiss criticism of the song in an interview with Sky News.

When told the song had been labelled as "trite" and "patronising" he said it was "b******s".


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Chaotic Scenes As Dewani Leaves Cape Town

Shrien Dewani has boarded a flight out of South Africa after being cleared of plotting his wife's death on their honeymoon.

The case against the 34-year-old was thrown out by Judge Jeanette Traverso, who ruled that prosecution arguments fell "far below" the level needed for a conviction for the murder of Anni Dewani.

Mr Dewani arrived at Cape Town airport with members of his family and they boarded an Emirates flight to Dubai.

It is believed they will take a connecting flight from there to Britain.

Sky's Special Correspondent Alex Crawford said the businessman, who made no comment, looked "very well" and "very relaxed" despite the chaotic scenes as he was surrounded by dozens of photographers.

He "looked very different to the man who appeared in the dock" on Monday, Crawford added.

"He had a full police escort, with at least half a dozen police officers around him. He refused to answer any questions. He looked extremely well," she said.

Mr Dewani, of Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, had denied any involvement in the murder of his 28-year-old wife.

He said she was killed during a botched carjacking during their Cape Town honeymoon in November 2010.

The dismissal of the case led to angry scenes outside court as Mrs Dewani's family criticised the South African justice system.

In a statement read outside the court, the Hindocha family said: "The knowledge of not knowing is going to haunt us for the rest of our lives."

Mrs Dewani's sister Ami Denborg told Sky's Alex Crawford: "The justice system has failed us."

The family say they will review the case with their lawyers to see if they can file a civil lawsuit against Mr Dewani in the UK.

Three men - Zola Tongo, Mziwamadoda Qwabe and gunman Xolile Mngeni - have already been convicted over Mrs Dewani's murder.

Qwabe is currently serving a 25-year sentence. Mngeni was serving life for firing the shot that killed Mrs Dewani, but died from a brain tumour in October.

But Judge Traverso said chief prosecution witness cab driver Tongo's claims about the murder were "riddled with contradictions" and "highly debatable".

Prosecutors claimed Dewani, who is bisexual, wanted to leave the relationship and arranged the carjacking during the couple's trip to South Africa.

But Dewani's defence team argued the case against him was weak.


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Threat Made To Kidnap And Kill Police Officer

Police in the West Midlands have had a special security briefing after a threat was made to kidnap and kill an officer in Birmingham, Sky News has learned.

The force said officers and staff had been given an "additional safety reminder" after it received "anonymous information".

Officers were told to avoid showing any of their uniform while travelling to work.

They were also advised about police station security.

West Midlands Police would not confirm the nature of the threat but said the information "continues to be assessed".

The overall threat level to police across Britain was raised to substantial in October, meaning an attack is a strong possibility.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Forsyth said: "There is nothing at this time to suggest there is an increased risk to members of the public.

"We have taken the opportunity to remind all employees of the need to be vigilant.

"Our priority remains serving our communities and protecting them from harm.

"Officers remain on patrol and our staff continue to respond to calls for service as usual."

Police stressed that officers had to stay past their shifts for the late-night security talk, or were spoken to before they started work - but were not taken off the streets.

Mr Forsyth confirmed to Sky News that the threat was "credible".

The alert comes after four men were charged with terror offences in October, including allegations they carried out "hostile reconnaissance" of Shepherd's Bush police station in London.

Metropolitan Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said he was assessing the situation in the capital following the West Midlands threat.

"I believe it to be an anonymous call that's been made," he said.

"One of my colleagues has talked to the Chief Constable of West Midlands this morning to find out exactly what the state of that threat is.

"And once we've assessed it, we'll decide whether or not to give any further advice."


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tesco Refuses Executives Appeal Over Sacking

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

A number of senior managers who left Tesco after profits were overstated by £263m have been told by the retailer that they have no right to appeal over their departures.

Sky News has learnt that Tesco has informed lawyers acting for some of the executives that they cannot launch a formal appeal through the company because an ongoing Serious Fraud Office (SFO) probe has rendered it impossible for Tesco to have direct contact with them.

Last week, it emerged that Chris Bush, the UK managing director, group commercial director Kevin Grace, Carl Rogberg, the UK finance director, and John Scouler, UK food commercial director, had left Tesco approximately eight weeks after they were asked to step aside amid an investigation into the profit overstatement.

Sources said on Tuesday that at least one of the men had made enquiries through their legal representatives about their right to appeal and were informed by the company that no such appeal could be heard while the SFO investigation was taking place.

The supermarket giant's decision - which emerged as it warned on profits for the fourth time this year, sparking a further slump in its shares - may prompt a legal challenge from a number of the executives, sources indicated.

Another executive who had been asked to step aside, Matt Simister, has since returned to his role at Tesco, while Dave Lewis, the chief executive, confirmed on Tuesday that the futures of three other managers were still being assessed.

Tesco's latest impromptu trading update stunned the City with its disclosure that full-year group trading profit would not exceed £1.4bn, a figure 58% lower than last year's £3.3bn.

Mr Lewis said the worse-than-expected outcome reflected investments he was making in rebuilding Tesco's trading relationship with suppliers and in increasing employee numbers in its stores.

Shares in Tesco fell by more than 15% at one stage, although they recovered some of their losses later in the morning and were trading at around 168p, giving the company a market value of just over £15bn.

Last week, Mr Lewis said he would take direct control of the UK business although this will be a temporary move.

"Tesco is focused, and will continue to focus, on doing the right thing for customers. This means running our business in a way that everything we do creates sustainable value," he said. 

"Whilst the steps we are taking to achieve this are impacting short-term profitability, they are essential to restoring the health of our business. 

"We will not engage in short term actions that compromise in any way our offer for customers."

The new chief executive, whose 100th day in the role was marred by the latest profit alert, said the City would receive a further update on his plans when he presents the results of Christmas trading on 8 January.

Tesco declined to comment on the position of its former executives, none of whom could be reached for comment.

A spokesman for the SFO said its inquiry was ongoing.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Britain To Be Battered By 'Weather Bomb'

Britons are being warned to brace themselves for a so-called "weather bomb" which is due to hit the country this week.

The Met Office has already issued a number of amber and yellow weather warnings as the cold front sweeps in, with conditions deteriorating significantly from Tuesday night.

Forecasters are warning that Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales can expect freezing winds that will peak on Wednesday.

Exposed parts of northwest Scotland could endure 80mph gales and snow on higher ground.

The rapid cyclogenesis - known colloquially as a "weather bomb" - is a deep low pressure system moving slowly eastwards between Scotland and Iceland.

Ferry services in Scotland have been already been disrupted by the weather and the winds are expected to whip up unusually high waves, with sea swells of up to 12m in parts.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has eight flood alerts in place for the west coast.

The Forth, Kessock and Skye bridges have been closed to high-sided vehicles because of the rising wind speeds.

More southerly areas of the UK are likely to be hit by a second storm due to roll in from the Atlantic on Thursday evening.

England, Wales, Northern Ireland and southern Scotland could all be hit by 70mph winds.

Clear skies will mean plummeting temperatures and frost for much of the country in the coming days.

Police dealt with a number of crashes as drivers were warned of treacherous conditions.

In Dumfries and Galloway, a woman died after the car she was driving was in an accident with an ambulance near Sanquhar at about 8.40am.

Police Scotland said it was too early to say whether freezing conditions contributed.

The yellow weather warnings that have been issued are the lowest category and mean people are urged to be aware of the potentially serious conditions.

Forecasters say it is too early to accurately predict whether Britain will experience a white Christmas.

:: Send us your pictures and videos by emailing news@sky.com,  texting 84501 or tweeting @SkyNews

:: Full weather and travel updates at skynews.com, Sky News for iPad app, mobile devices and your local commercial radio station.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

M25 Lanes Partially Reopen After Crash Chaos

M25 Lanes Partially Reopen After Crash Chaos

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A section of the M25 has now partially reopened after a fatal crash caused long delays on the motorway and its surrounding area.

Two lanes on the clockwise and anti-clockwise stretch between junctions 26 and 27 are now working in each direction after being shut all day.

The Highways Agency said delays were down to 15 minutes and that normal traffic conditions were expected from 5.30pm.

One man, believed to be a 39-year-old from Leicester, died in the crash near Waltham Abbey.

Four others were taken to hospital following the accident at 1.50am, Essex Police said.

The crash involved several vehicles, including lorries, and some people were trapped in their cars.

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  1. Gallery: M25 Gridlock After Fatal Crash

    A serious crash in which one person died led to part of the M25 being closed. Pic: ‏@EEAST_HART

Three people were also taken to hospital. Pic: ‏@EEAST_HART

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Aerial pictures of rescue vehicles clearing the crash scene

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Debris from the crash was scattered across both carriageways

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M25 Lanes Partially Reopen After Crash Chaos

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

A section of the M25 has now partially reopened after a fatal crash caused long delays on the motorway and its surrounding area.

Two lanes on the clockwise and anti-clockwise stretch between junctions 26 and 27 are now working in each direction after being shut all day.

The Highways Agency said delays were down to 15 minutes and that normal traffic conditions were expected from 5.30pm.

One man, believed to be a 39-year-old from Leicester, died in the crash near Waltham Abbey.

Four others were taken to hospital following the accident at 1.50am, Essex Police said.

The crash involved several vehicles, including lorries, and some people were trapped in their cars.

1/13

  1. Gallery: M25 Gridlock After Fatal Crash

    A serious crash in which one person died led to part of the M25 being closed. Pic: ‏@EEAST_HART

Three people were also taken to hospital. Pic: ‏@EEAST_HART

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Aerial pictures of rescue vehicles clearing the crash scene

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Debris from the crash was scattered across both carriageways

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23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Flooding Fund: £2.3bn To Protect 300,000 Homes

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 02 Desember 2014 | 23.17

Flooding Fund: £2.3bn To Protect 300,000 Homes

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More than 1,400 projects will receive a share of £2.3bn to protect against flooding for 300,000 homes.

But environmental group Friends of the Earth has suggested that figure is not high enough and there is still a £500m shortfall in the flood defences budget in the next parliament.

The spending includes major investment in areas including the Humber Estuary, with £80m set to be spent, and £196m for the Thames Estuary.

Ministers will also commit to spending £15.5m on flood defences in Somerset in the next six years - including £4.2m on the Somerset Levels which were hit badly by flooding last winter.

The Government has come under fire over funding for flood defences.

Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: "We all saw the destruction and heartache caused by flooding last year and that is why this investment is vital to build up Britain's defences for the future.

"The projects we are announcing today will protect some of the country's most at risk locations ensuring that we will be as prepared as possible for future severe weather."

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  1. Gallery: Somerset Flooding - Before & After

    Before: a farm in West Yeo, near Bridgewater on the Somerset Levels. Pic: Bing maps

After: The flooded farmland in West Yeo

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Before: The village of Moorland near Bridgewater on the Somerset Levels. Pic: Bing maps

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After: Flooded properties in Moorland

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Before: Walton-On-Thames, Surrey

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Flooding Fund: £2.3bn To Protect 300,000 Homes

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

More than 1,400 projects will receive a share of £2.3bn to protect against flooding for 300,000 homes.

But environmental group Friends of the Earth has suggested that figure is not high enough and there is still a £500m shortfall in the flood defences budget in the next parliament.

The spending includes major investment in areas including the Humber Estuary, with £80m set to be spent, and £196m for the Thames Estuary.

Ministers will also commit to spending £15.5m on flood defences in Somerset in the next six years - including £4.2m on the Somerset Levels which were hit badly by flooding last winter.

The Government has come under fire over funding for flood defences.

Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: "We all saw the destruction and heartache caused by flooding last year and that is why this investment is vital to build up Britain's defences for the future.

"The projects we are announcing today will protect some of the country's most at risk locations ensuring that we will be as prepared as possible for future severe weather."

1/8

  1. Gallery: Somerset Flooding - Before & After

    Before: a farm in West Yeo, near Bridgewater on the Somerset Levels. Pic: Bing maps

After: The flooded farmland in West Yeo

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Before: The village of Moorland near Bridgewater on the Somerset Levels. Pic: Bing maps

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After: Flooded properties in Moorland

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Before: Walton-On-Thames, Surrey

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23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Passenger Dies On Flight From Heathrow To US

A young plane passenger has died aboard a transatlantic flight from London to the United States.

The woman, believed to be 23, reportedly fell unconscious on a United Airlines aircraft from Heathrow to Newark in New Jersey on Monday evening.

It is believed a doctor tried to assist the victim, who was thought to be travelling alone, but she did not recover.

A spokesman for the airline said: "United confirms that a passenger passed away on flight UA115 from London Heathrow to New York/Newark on 1 December, 2014.

"We offer our condolences to the passenger's family. For privacy reasons, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further."


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heroin Misery Of The Trainspotting Generation

By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent

The number of adults over 40 seeking treatment for heroin and crack cocaine addiction in England has more than doubled in 10 years, new figures have revealed.

While the total number of heroin and crack cocaine addicts has fallen below 300,000 for the first time since estimates began, there is a generation still hooked - the so-called Trainspotting generation.

The disaffected, heroin-addicted young people immortalised in Irvine Welsh's bestselling novel are getting older.

More than a third of the total population of adults in treatment centres are aged 40 or over, according to Public Health England.

Many started using heroin in the epidemics of the 1980s and 1990s when good-quality, cheap opiate flooded the inner cities.

But as they enter old age there are warnings that dwindling health and dependence on heroin could place an increased burden on the National Health Service.

On the ageing generation of addicts, Louise Ford, deputy manager at the Smithfield Detox Centre in Manchester, told Sky News: "For many people of this age group there is a sense of 'now or never' in finally getting the treatment they need.

"For the over-40s it could be redundancy, bereavement or failing health that finally prompts them to come in for help. The treatment is not easy and many relapse."

For those who have not sought treatment, life is a cycle of "scoring" heroin and finding the money to pay for it.

Homeless Paul, 42, has been taking heroin since he was 17-years-old.

His partner Jill, 39, was introduced to the drug at the age of 14. They take heroin in the back streets of Manchester's city centre.

He said: "I had a good life, what you'd call an average life, a car, a flat. I got laid off last year. I had never been out of work before.

"Now I wake up, go and score, go and take it, go and find a pitch and start raising money again to score again and that goes on and on.

"If I don't get help now I'll still be doing this into my 50s and 60s and I don't want that. Heroin just makes you feel bad when you don't have it. It doesn't make you feel good anymore."

Meanwhile, new figures show the number of heroin-related deaths in England have risen sharply.

The number of people dying through heroin and morphine abuse increased by around a third (32%) between 2012 and 13 from 579 to 765.

And the number of people admitted to hospital with drug poisoning has soared by 76% over the last decade.

But there is hope in the form of recovered addicts like Steve Cundell, who first dabbled in heroin so that he could come down from ecstasy fuelled raves in the 1980s.

He went from experimenting to dealing in a matter of weeks.

He said: "I thought it wouldn't grip me but it did and very, very fast.

"I decided the best way to get my supply was to start dealing in it. My every waking hour was consumed by heroin.

"It used to play on my mind so much that I was getting older and older and I had not achieved anything - that I was going to wake up one day 65 or 70-years-old still on heroin."

Mr Cundell is now a peer mentor on a rehabilitation course run by Turning Point and tries to help others.

He added: "I like to think I have something to give back and it helps my recovery - because I'm not out of the woods yet."


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Job Losses Warning As Insurance Merger Agreed

The boss of Aviva has admitted there are likely to be job losses after terms were finalised for its £5.6bn takeover of Friends Life.

Mark Wilson told a conference call he would not put an estimate on the number of positions under threat as a result of the all-share deal, first reported by Sky News, which will create an insurance giant with 16 million life insurance customers.

He did confirm higher than expected annual savings of £225m by 2017.

Under the terms of the agreement, holders of Friends Life shares will receive 0.74 new Aviva shares and a second interim dividend of 24.1p-per-share.

Aviva said it proposed to pay a final dividend of 12.25p for 2014, up 30% on last year.

Andy Briggs, current group chief executive of Friends Life, will become CEO of Aviva UK Life, with Mr Wilson continuing as CEO of the enlarged Aviva Group.

He said it would create the UK's leading insurance, savings and asset management business by number of customers.

"It is one of those rare transactions where the two organisations fit with surgical precision, building on each other's strengths and addressing the challenges," he added.

But there has been speculation that the merger will result in up to 2,000 jobs being axed.

Aviva employs around 28,000 staff worldwide including 12,000 in the UK, while Friends Life employs 3,500 staff largely in offices in London, Manchester, Bristol and Salisbury.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Controversial Home DNA Test On Sale In UK

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Correspondent

A controversial personal DNA test that screens people for diseases such as cancer and Parkinson's has gone on sale in the UK.

It costs £125 and works by testing users' saliva with a kit that is then posted back to a lab to be screened.

But the company behind it, 23andMe, has been banned from marketing the tests in the US, following questions over accuracy.

The 23andMe Personal Genome Service (PGS) claims to offer access to more than 100 pieces of genetic information about a person's health, ancestry and family traits.

Four to six weeks after sending off the saliva sample, users receive an email telling them they can log in online to get the results. People have previously been able to get the test sent over from the US.

However, the Food and Drug Administration agency in America put a ban on the test being marketed because of concerns about the potential health consequences of giving people this information.

23andMe, which has been part-funded by Google, say the tool tests for genes that may reveal risk factors for conditions such as blood clotting, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, and is not designed to specifically diagnose illnesses.

Chief executive Anne Wojcicki told Sky News: "It's a little bit like your cholesterol. If I tell you that you have high cholesterol levels then you can take proactive measures to try and prevent a heart attack.

"Nothing is 100%, but if I tell you that you're higher risk for something you might be able to take better measures to be proactive. That could be going to the doctor, changing your behaviour and just being more aware."

As well as the health checks, the saliva is also assessed for information including peoples' caffeine consumption, type of ear wax or the risk of baldness.

Manufacturers also say the test can show how people respond to medication - which could help their doctors. And it includes a "full genetic ancestry report" allowing people to trace their family's genetic roots.

The UK's medicines regulating body, the MHRA, has said in a statement: "Products used in personal genome services are regulated by MHRA to meet minimum standards.

"People who use these products should ensure that they are CE marked and remember that no test is 100% reliable so think carefully before using personal genome services."

Marcy Darnovsky from the Center of Genetics and Society in California said the test is good "for diagnosing rare genetic disorders in babies and children, and it is good for detecting the few genetic variations that cause a few inherited kinds of cancer".

"But it needs to be used with a doctor who can explain to you what the results mean.

"If you're a healthy person and want to know your chances of getting one of the common killer diseases, most cancers, heart disease anything like that, this kind of genetic testing is really useless."

The service is formally launched in the UK today, but the tests will still be carried out in the US. Around 10,000 customers have already paid to have the kit delivered to Britain from America.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Balotelli Apologises Over 'Anti-Semitic' Pic

Liverpool and Italy player Mario Balotelli has apologised after posting a picture online which was labelled racist and anti-Semitic.

Quickly deleted from the player's Instagram page, the internet meme shows Nintendo character Super Mario and contains the words "jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew".

As criticism mounted, Balotelli wrote on his Twitter page: "My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please."

But he later tweeted an apology, saying: "I apologise if I've offended anyone.

"The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context may have the opposite effect. Not all Mexicans have moustaches, not all black people jump high and not all Jewish people love money."

The Football Association has begun an investigation into possible misconduct and asked Balotelli to comment on his actions.

The minimum FA ban for a race-related offence is five matches.

A spokesman for Liverpool said: "We are aware of the posting which has since been promptly deleted by the player.

"We will be speaking to the player about the issue."

It is the latest controversial incident involving the 24-year-old and the image prompted several accusations of racism on social media.

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  1. Gallery: The Italian Striker's Eventful Career

    August 2010: Signs for Manchester City for £24m from Italian giants Inter Milan

November 2010: Scores first Premier League goals in 2-0 win at West Brom - but is then sent off for violent conduct

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23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Garden City To Be Built In Bicester

A new garden city will be built in Oxfordshire under Coalition plans to deal with a housing shortage.

The new town, which would have up to 13,000 homes, would be built near Bicester and would include a £44m capital investment from the Government for roads including a new junction on the M40.

The plans will be outlined in the National Infrastructure Plan set to be published on Wednesday ahead of the Autumn Statement, alongside a range of other housing measures.

A Government loan would be provided for the development of amenities including green transport.

Ebbsfleet in Kent was announced earlier this year as the location for the first modern garden city.

Bicester has also expressed an interest and could receive a new railway station as part of the proposals announced by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Mr Clegg told the Daily Telegraph: "The Liberal Democrats have long argued that garden cities are an idea whose time has come again.

"I am delighted that Bicester can now be confirmed as a pioneer in what I hope will be another wave of garden cities in this country.

"Bicester will get help from the Government with both significant capital investment and in helping developers build the amenities that are required to be a true garden town."

Under the proposals, a series of new communities with green spaces, sustainable transport and spacious housing will be built.

Mr Clegg has previously promised at least 10 would be created if the Liberal Democrats are part of the next Government.

:: Watch Sky News for the Chancellor's Autumn Statement live on Wednesday, 3 December, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.


23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More
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