Family Thanks Donors After Cyclist's Death

Family and friends of a cyclist who was killed while on a charity bike ride have thanked donors for giving to his cause.

Christian Smith was hoping to raise £1,000 for mental health charity Mind through his JustGiving webpage while on a bike ride around Kent and Sussex on Saturday.

The 38-year-old father of three, from Boughton Aulph in Kent, died after being in collision with a car.

And since news of his death was reported, more than £66,000 has been donated to his webpage.

Relatives and friends said the donations were a "great comfort" at a "sad and difficult" time.

A statement from Mind following Mr Smith's death

The statement said: "Taking on this challenge was Christian's way of doing something positive to make sure that people facing mental health problems are not alone, and the many messages of support and generosity of donations are a great comfort to us at this extremely sad and difficult time."

Mr Smith set out last Friday to complete his 'Kent Epic' of cycling 248 miles in 24 hours.

In his last posting, Mr Smith, who would have been 39 this week, wrote: "Oh c**p what have I done.... 6 days to go. Birthday drinks in Kings Head on 29th March if I am still alive by then."

Describing his fundraising bid, he wrote: "This is an attempt to cycle the full 24hrs and the full distance, largely unsupported (because nobody is stupid enough to volunteer!). So there are no motorcycle outriders, support vehicles or hot chicks to wipe my brow.

"As much as this being a physical effort, it will also be a mental struggle, enduring a long dark night alone, knackered. Not to mention the long training sessions ahead of me to prepare."

Explaining his motivation, he added: "In short I want to support the charity Mind, raise awareness towards the great support that they offer, and help bring an end to the stigma that is attached to those who suffer from mental health problems.

The cyclist's webpage explaining why he was doing the ride

"I have had my own misfortune to suffer from a spate of poor mental health, which was unexpected and has been a real 'game changer' in how I now view the future.

"It has been a tough road to get to this point but I have been fortunate enough to have the support of my family and friends.

"There are those who are not so fortunate to have the same level of support and understanding. They suffer in silence and are alone. This challenge is for those people."

He also posted: "If I get to £1,000 I will cycle naked around Wye!"

Two people have been arrested and freed on police bail over the cyclist's death.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

British Teen Shot In US Was 'Outstanding Girl'

By Frazer Maude, Sky News Reporter

A British teenager who died alongside her American boyfriend after they allegedly shot dead a police officer in Florida has been described as "delightful" and "popular".

Alexandria Hollinghurst, 17, and Brandon Goode, 18, are believed to have killed themselves after the officer was killed in Orlando.

US police officials said on Monday that both left what appear to be suicide notes before they were found dead in undergrowth on Saturday.

Officer Robert German was pronounced dead in hospital

Orange County Sheriff's Office said the couple had been reported as "missing endangered due to the suicidal notes" in the hours before the shooting.

Officer Robert German had called for backup after seeing two individuals acting suspiciously in the wealthy suburb where golfer Tiger Woods used to live.

When officers arrived in the Windermere community at about 4am on Saturday, they discovered the 31-year-old policeman had been shot. Mr German was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators say the suspects were found dead nearby.

Miss Hollinghurst lived in Hadfield in Derbyshire until moving to the US with her parents Tom and Jane, and younger sister Hannah, in 2008.

They settled in Florida after living first in New Hampshire, then Alabama.

On Monday the headteacher at her former primary school told Sky News she was a bright and enthusiastic pupil.

Andrew Cartledge, headteacher at St Andrew's Primary in Hadfield, said: "Alex was a talented pupil here, and very popular as well.

"She had an outgoing personality that made the place come alive when she was around. She was a delightful pupil.

"There were no problems with her. She was an outstanding and talented girl. What we've heard today doesn't tie in with the pupil we knew."

Brandon Goode, 18, was Alexandria's boyfriend

Former neighbour Tony McMylor said: "They were a great family, very polite, and she was a great kid.

"It's just so upsetting. I don't know what to think, it's horrendous, dreadful."

Grace Etchells, who went to primary school with Alexandria, paid tribute to her on Twitter.

She wrote: "So horrible knowing a very close friend from primary Alex Hollinghurst sadly got taken from us in such horrific circumstances. RIP lovely xx."

Although Orange County Sheriff's Office said the two teenagers may have taken their own lives after Mr German was shot dead, her family believe she may have been murdered by Mr Goode.

Sheriff Jerry Demings said: "The two suspects were found very close to where Officer German was shot.

"It appears to be that both suspects, a male and female, died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds."

An investigation into the "senseless tragedy" is ongoing, said Windermere Police Chief David Ogden.

He added: "Officer German was a good cop."

Mr German had been with the department for five years and recently returned to duty after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Windermere has a population of about 3,000 and one of the lowest crime rates in Florida, Mayor Gary Bruhn said.

He said it was the first line-of-duty death for a police officer in the town's history.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Supermarket And Restaurant Bills Set To Soar

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Grocery and restaurant bills are set to rise as food inflation hits 3.8% before the end of the year, according to new research.

That figure, from food service specialist Prestige Purchasing, means food costs are rising faster than other prices.

Consumer price inflation is currently 1.7%, below the Bank of England's 2% target.

Raw materials are traded openly on global markets and commodity prices often fluctuate, sometimes quite wildly.

But right now a specific combination of bad weather, political conflict and increased consumption is pushing up the price of everything from orange juice to cocoa and pork.

Wheat prices spiked 80% when Russia was hit by drought and political uncertainties in 2010.

Some experts say the current crisis could trigger a similar rise.

The crisis in Ukraine is having an effect on wheat prices

Arabica Coffee is up 53%, partly due to unseasonably dry weather in Brazil.

Pork prices are 5% higher - following the horsemeat scandal and a virus epidemic among US pigs.

Commodity experts say competition for our favourite foods is also an issue.

Brian Smith, a raw materials expert at Mintec, said: "The Russians and the Chinese are putting heavy demand into dairy products and milk products.

The price of chocolate has increased by 1%

"The likelihood of them dropping in price is slim because of that demand."

Wheat prices are vulnerable to the current political uncertainties stemming from the crisis in Ukraine, a key grain producer.

Mr Smith added: "If sanctions stop the Russians from exporting wheat and grains, or if the Russians choose to stop exporting, then wheat prices will inevitably go up."

The cost of fruit has risen more than any other category of food, according to Prestige research.

It is up more than 10%, followed by the price of vegetables and meat, which have risen more than 5% per category.

Even the cost of sugar, jam, chocolate and confectionery is up 1%.

Wine prices have increased by 16% year-on-year.

The average cost of eating out is expected to continue to rise as restaurants pass on the cost of rising food prices to customers.

And more than £19bn will be added to the UK's annual grocery bill by 2018, the equivalent of an additional £850 per family per year, according to figures from retail consultancy Conlumino.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Royal Mail Confirms Plans To Axe 1,300 Jobs

A union has raised the threat of industrial action after Royal Mail confirmed it was consulting on plans to cut 1,300 jobs, mainly managerial staff.

Unite, which represents 7,000 managers at the firm, described the proposals as "ruthless".

Royal Mail, which was controversially privatised last year, said no delivery staff would be affected by the move, which aims to save £50m annually.

Under the plans, 1,600 operational and head office managerial positions would go but 300 other "enhanced" roles would be created and it would soon begin talks with the Communication Workers Union and Unite.

Moya Greene, Royal Mail's chief executive, said: "We are continuously improving our efficiency, whilst maintaining our high quality of service.

"We need to do so in order to effectively compete in the letters and parcels markets. This is the best way to ensure the continued delivery of the Universal Service and the good quality jobs we provide for our people."

News of the proposed job losses broke just 48 hours after Sky News revealed that the Business Secretary Vince Cable is demanding that the board of Royal Mail limits a pay rise for Ms Greene.

Unite said it was demanding there were no compulsory redundancies.

The union's officer for Royal Mail, Brian Scott, added: "First the Government sells-off Royal Mail on the cheap and now the newly privatised service is ruthlessly sacrificing jobs.

"We do not believe that it's a coincidence that this announcement has been made just before the company prepares to announce its first full set of accounts since privatisation.

"It's more proof that Royal Mail's primary reason for existing is now about making profits rather than serving the nation.

"For all that Royal Mail managers have been through they do not deserve to be treated in this way.

"Unite is demanding a commitment to no compulsory redundancies on fair terms and an effective method for redeployment within the restructured organisation.

"If Royal Mail refuse we will have no alternative than to consider a ballot for industrial action."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wind Turbine Plants To Create 1,000 UK Jobs

A £310m investment in the country's offshore wind industry is set to deliver 1,000 new skilled jobs.

German manufacturer Siemens is putting up £160m of the money, covering two sites on the banks of the Humber estuary.

The investment comprises additional cash for its previously announced construction, assembly and service facility at the Green Port in Hull.

A new rotor blade manufacturing facility would be built in nearby Paull, in East Riding, the company said.

Siemens, which already employs almost 14,000 staff in the UK, said the plant at Paull would be the first of its kind for the firm's next-generation blade technology designed for wind turbines.

Each rotor blade is 75 metres long and when rotating covers an area the size of two-and-a-half football pitches.

The company's port partner, Associated British Ports (ABP), is spending £150m on the Green Port Hull development.

Michael Suess, chief executive of energy at Siemens, said: "Our decision to construct a production facility for offshore wind turbines in England is part of our global strategy.

The announcement has been hailed as "excellent news" by the Government

"We invest in markets with reliable conditions that can ensure that factories can work to capacity.

"The British energy policy creates a favourable framework for the expansion of offshore wind energy. In particular, it recognises the potential of offshore wind energy within the overall portfolio of energy production.

"The offshore wind market in Great Britain has high growth rates, with an even greater potential for the future. Wind power capacity has doubled here within two years, to roughly 10 gigawatts.

"By 2020, a capacity of 14 gigawatts is to be installed at sea alone to combine the country's environmental objectives with secure power supply.

"Projects for just over 40 gigawatts are currently in the long-term planning."

The investment was seen as a boost for the industry following a number of setbacks for new UK wind farm projects - scrapped on cost grounds.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said of Tuesday's announcement: "This deal is excellent news for the people of Hull and the Humber, the UK, the wind industry, and our energy security.

"We are attracting investment by backing enterprise with better infrastructure and lower taxes.

"As well as helping to keep the lights on and putting more than 1,000 people in work, this deal means we will help to keep consumer bills down as we invest in home-grown green energy and reduce our reliance on foreign imports."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Honda Swindon Plant Job Threat Over Shift Cut

More than 300 jobs are under threat at Honda's plant in Swindon as the car manufacturer cuts production.

The Japanese firm wants to reduce workflow from three daily shifts to two - blaming poor sales growth outside the UK.

Its review would also result in a single production line being created to improve efficiency and flexibility.

The plans, Honda said, would leave 340 production staff (10% of the workforce) at risk of redundancy and the Unite union pledged to fight any job losses.

Ian Howells, senior vice president of Honda Motor Europe, said: "Over the last 12 months, we haven't seen the growth we'd anticipated.

"With no increase forecast for the next couple of years, we must scale our manufacturing activity accordingly.

"However, with the restructuring we're taking today, and our new model plans, we remain confident in the long-term future of our Swindon plant.

"Our Swindon operation continues to be the hub for our European car manufacturing activity," he added.

Honda has been manufacturing cars at Swindon since 1992 and currently builds the Civic, Civic Tourer, CR-V and Jazz models for the UK and European markets.

Tony Murphy, national officer of the Unite union, said: "These job losses are a devastating blow, not just for these workers but for the thousands more across the industry whose work is dependent on the Honda plant.

"Today's losses are also a wake-up call to the UK Government. The economy is far too fragile to proclaim a recovery - those workers losing their jobs today will find claims that the country is turning a corner an insult.

"The truth is that there is simply no pick up in the incomes of Honda's customers, either here or in the eurozone. People are not confident and do not have the cash to spend. That is something which must give the Government serious cause for concern.

"Decent, skilled jobs are being lost today and investment is being withdrawn, which is ringing alarm bells and putting the remaining workforce in fear for their future.

"We cannot allow workers of this expertise to be dispatched to the dole queue - the country needs their skills if we are to power our country back to economic health.

"Unite is determined to do all we can to save these jobs and skills. It is vital that the Government joins us in the fight for manufacturing."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Falling Fuel Costs Help Inflation Dip To 1.7%

The biggest monthly fall in petrol prices since September 2009 helped the annual rate of inflation ease to 1.7% in February - a level not seen for more than four years.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure dipped for the fifth month in a row - supporting hopes that the real-terms decline in pay is coming to an end.

Wage growth has not been higher than inflation for nearly four years but last week official Budget forecasts predicted earnings would return to real-terms growth later this year.

Today's data shows private sector pay growth - which was also 1.7% in the three months to January - has already caught up, but public sector pay rises remain restricted due to central Government spending cuts.

Smaller rises in energy bills helped ease inflationary pressures

CPI, which fell from 1.9% in January, has not been lower since October 2009 - when it stood at 1.5%.

The ONS said smaller price rises for household gas and electricity bills, as well as clothing and footwear, also eased inflationary pressures in February.

But there were warnings of tougher times ahead as a report warned that grocery and restaurant bills were set to rise by the end of the year.

On the back of the official announcement on February's figure, Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "It's good to see inflation falling again.

"Our long term economic plan is helping provide stability and security for hard-working people."

But while welcoming the fall in inflation, Labour's shadow Treasury minister, Catherine McKinnell, argued the Government needed to do more to help working people.

"The squeeze continues as prices are still rising faster than wages," he said.

"Working people facing this cost-of-living crisis are on average £1,600 a year worse off since David Cameron came to office.

"Labour will freeze energy bills until 2017, make work pay by expanding free childcare for working parents and get at least 200,000 homes built a year by 2020.

"We also want to introduce a lower 10p starting rate of tax to help 24 million people on middle and lower incomes.

"By opposing all these measures and giving a £3bn tax cut to people earning over £150,000, David Cameron has shown he's out of touch and only stands up for a privileged few."

The ONS also reported that UK house price inflation continued to rise in January.

It measured annual growth of 6.8% - the biggest rise since August 2010.

Prices in London were up 13.2%.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

TV Licence Dodgers May Not Face Jail Threat

Proposals allowing ministers to lift the threat of jail and a criminal record for TV licence dodgers have taken a step forward.

MPs on a Commons committee gave the go-ahead for a review of TV licence sanctions, including allowing the Government to make non-payment a civil offence.

The move is almost certain to become law, with cross-party backing for decriminalisation.

The BBC had warned an immediate change would hit funding for its services by leading to increased evasion.

Cases of people accused of not paying the £145.50 fee accounted for more than one in 10 criminal prosecutions last year, with 155,000 people convicted and fined.

It led to more than 150 MPs to back a decriminalisation campaign led by Tory MP Andrew Bridgen.

In response, proposals were put forward requiring Culture Secretary Maria Miller to carry out a year-long review of the sanctions.

It means the review is unlikely to report until after next year's general election.

The BBC has indicated it is willing to discuss changes as part of discussions over the renewal of its charter, due in 2017.

Its director of strategy and digital, James Purnell, said the present system "works pretty well" and challenged some of the evidence put forward by supporters of decriminalisation.

But he added: "We want to look at the facts and work with Mr Bridgen and other people in Parliament who have expressed a concern and with the Government to come up with the best possible system.

"That is what this set of amendments allows us to do. It avoids the risk of doing it in a rush, it allows it to be looked at in the round and that is something we welcome."

Chancellor George Osborne said the Government was "looking very closely" at decriminalisation.

"It is getting more and more support across the political parties and you can see it is all heading in a particular direction," he said.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drone Pilots 'Not Video Gaming Warrior Geeks'

An influential group of MPs has disputed the portrayal of military drone pilots as "video gaming warrior geeks" remote from the battlefield.

The Commons Defence Select Committee also said the MoD needed to be more open about the use of remotely piloted air systems if it wanted to improve public confidence.

This need for openness was underlined by the MPs over the sharing of intelligence amid concerns about the use of armed drones in so-called "targeted killings" by US intelligence agencies in countries such as Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia.

It follows claims by Reprieve, a legal charity, that drone operations of the UK and US were "closely intertwined".

The committee's report said: "It alleged that the UK shared intelligence with the US 'in order to support its programme of covert drone strikes, carried out by the CIA and Special Operations in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia'."

The MPs concluded: "There should be greater transparency in relation to safeguards and limitations the UK Government has in place for the sharing of intelligence."

The British drone operation is run from a hangar in Lincolnshire

But the committee stressed a clear distinction had to be made between the actions of UK drones in Afghanistan, and those of other countries elsewhere.

The report said: "On the basis of the evidence we have received we are satisfied that UK remotely piloted air system operations comply fully with international law."

The MPs also backed calls for a detailed public explanation in any case where civilians have been killed in a drone strike.

And the committee praised the work of the aircrew at the RAF drone base in Lincolnshire, noting they "were experienced professional personnel with a clear purpose and keen understanding of the Rules of Engagement which govern their operations".

The report added: "Despite being remote from the battle space they exhibited a strong sense of connection to the life and death decisions they are sometimes required to take.

"This was in stark contrast to the image portrayed by some commentators of 'drone' pilots as video gaming 'warrior geeks'.

"We record here our appreciation for the important role they continue to perform in Afghanistan."

Armed forces minister Mark Francois welcomed the committee's findings.

An MoD spokesman stressed the UK's armed Reaper drones had only ever been used operationally in Afghanistan and - apart from the launch and recovery phase of the flights - had only been operated by UK pilots.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Student Deportation Blocked By Airline

By Joe Tidy, Sky News Reporter

A 19-year-old student threatened with being deported to her native Mauritius has gained a last-minute reprieve after an airline refused to take her.

The deportation team had taken Yashika Bageerathi to Gatwick Airport to be put on a plane when she was returned to a detention centre.

It appears at present to be a temporary reprieve after British Airways declined to accept her on the flight according to her local MP David Burrowes, who represents Enfield, Southgate.

He has made representations to the Home Office to delay her deportation, and he said these had to be considered before she could be removed.

Yashika is being taken from Yarl's Wood Detention Centre

He added: "The Home Office will now consider all the options: whether she should be removed, all the circumstances and whether to consider her as part of her family rather than cutting her off from her family."

He described the decision to remove the student alone as "unfair and disproportionate" and said she should be able to continue her studies.

Despite the uncertainty, Mr Burrowes said it was "very welcome news and the right decision" not to send her back.

Miss Bageerathi came to the UK from Mauritius in 2011 on a tourist visa to escape domestic violence.

Since applying for asylum, her application has been treated separately from her mother, brother and sister as she is considered an adult, and has been rejected.

A security team arrived at Yarl's Wood Detention Centre this morning and told her she would be put on a flight at 2pm.

The family's other applications are still being considered.

On Sunday, a protest march was held to the Home Office by dozens of school friends, teachers and neighbours.

An online petition by the students calling on Immigration Minister James Brokenshire and Home Secretary Theresa May to stop the deportation and allow the student to complete her A-levels collected nearly 23,000 signatures.

Model Cara Delevingne also made a plea on Twitter to Mrs May not to send the aspiring maths teacher back.

And on Monday, barristers took an injunction to the High Court asking for her to be allowed to at least finish her A Levels and be with her family, but the case was rejected.

Yashika's school principal Lynne Dawes said there was relief she had not been deported.

Her mother Sowbhagyawatee Bageerathi said: "I am happy they decided to send her back to me."

Before the removal was halted Ms Dawes said she was terrified for the student, telling Sky News: "I have spoken to her this morning from the detention centre and she is scared.

"We are not being allowed to see her and are all very worried for her as she is completely on her own.

"We've written to Home Secretary and not heard anything back.

"We just want to halt this removal until Yashika can do her A-Levels and we want her to be kept with her family wherever that is."

A Home Office spokesman said: "The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need it and we consider every application on its individual merits.

"We do not routinely comment on individual cases."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More