Helicopter Crash Victim 'Suffered Burns'

Official causes of death have been released for the two men killed in a helicopter crash in central London.

Pilot Pete Barnes, 50, died from multiple injuries, while pedestrian Matthew Wood, 39, suffered severe burns and a leg injury, Scotland Yard said.

Air accident investigators are working to establish the cause of the crash

Post-mortem examinations were carried out at Greenwich Mortuary after the men died in the incident on Wednesday.

Police say they are working with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and Civil Aviation Authority and an inquest is expected to open in due course.

Mr Wood's sister earlier told Sky News he was a "big guy with a big heart".

He was walking to work as a pest control manager when he was killed after the aircraft hit a crane on The Tower in St George Wharf in Vauxhall.

Amanda Wood added he was a "gentle giant" who had been looking forward to planning his 40th birthday in April.

Chris Barnes, 55, paid tribute to his pilot brother Peter, describing him as a "good guy".

He said it would have been his "instinct" to do whatever he could to minimise casualties.

Cordons and road closures remain in place around the scene of the crash as work continues to remove the wreckage of the crane.

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Letter Bomb: Viable Device Sent To NI Officer

Postal workers have intercepted a letter bomb addressed to a senior police officer in Northern Ireland.

The suspicious package, meant for Chief Inspector Andy Lemon, was discovered in a sorting office in Strabane, Co Tyrone.

Bomb disposal experts examined the package and said it was "a small viable device", the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

The device was made up of a battery pack and accelerant and was packed into a brown envelope. It was taken away for further examination.

Six roads around the sorting office were closed for several hours this morning but all have since been reopened.

Chief Inspector Lemon said the vigilance of postal staff had saved lives.

"This was a very dangerous device and I would like to praise the Post Office staff for noticing it. One of them, or one of my officers, could have been injured had they opened it," he said.

He added: "I do not believe this is a personal attack but more a general attack on the police.

"Because I am area commander, a lot of mail would come into the police station addressed to myself, but I do not open any of it. That is done by other members of staff.

"This was an attempt to kill or injure police."

Chief Inspector Lemon said the PSNI was keeping an open mind about who was responsible but said dissident republicans were the most likely suspects.

Northern Ireland's first minister Peter Robinson and his deputy Martin McGuinness condemned the attempted attack.

"There can be no justification for this calculated and callous behaviour," they said in a joint statement.

"This was not just a planned attack on a police officer but also on the postal workers involved and society as a whole."

They urged anyone with information to contact police.

Last month, an explosive device was found under the car of a police officer in east Belfast.

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British Soldier Who Died From Wounds Named

A British soldier who died in hospital from wounds suffered in combat in Afghanistan has been named.

The Ministry of Defence said Kingsman David Robert Shaw, from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on January 16.

Kingsman Shaw sustained a gun shot wound when his checkpoint came under attack from insurgents in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province on January 14.

The 23-year-old was from Barrow-in-Furness and joined the Army in February, 2008.

Kingsman Shaw, a qualified sharpshooter and an assault pioneer, died on his second deployment to Afghanistan.

His family said: "David was a much-loved son and brother who was proud to have served his country in the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

"He loved his family and friends and would always make time for a hug for everybody. He enjoyed playing football, running and was an Arsenal fan.

"He also followed his local team, Barrow AFC. He has touched many lives. He will be missed and never forgotten."

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Wood, commanding officer of the battalion, added: "The death of Kingsman David Shaw is a devastating tragedy. The loss of our fallen comrade, who has fought so bravely and fiercely for three months, is deeply felt by all..."

"David was a true Cumbrian and Kingsman - physically and mentally tough, a warrior through and through, utterly loyal to those he worked with and possessing a sense of humour that touched us all.

"Known throughout the Battalion as 'Doctor S' he was the most popular of individuals. His joking and light heartedness would lift the gloomiest of situations and have us all laughing."

Sapper Richard Walker was repatriated on January 17

Kingsman Matthew Bond, Foxhound operator of Corunna company said: "The whole time I knew David he was a bright, funny and a hardworking young man.

"He was well liked and respected by the whole company. David's death was heartbreaking to hear about and my thoughts are with his friends and family."

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond added: "My thoughts are with his family, loved ones and those he served alongside in the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment."

Kingsman Shaw is the second British serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan this year and his death takes to 440 the number of UK service members who have lost their lives since operations began in October, 2001.

Sapper Richard Reginald Walker, 23, from 28 Engineer Regiment attached to 21 Engineer Regiment, was killed in a "green-on-blue" insider attack by a suspected member of the Afghan National Army in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on January 7.

Sapper Walker's body was repatriated to the UK on Thursday.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather Warning: Blizzards To Blanket Britain

Heavy snowfall and icy storms are set to leave much of the country shivering during the next few days.

Motorists face travel misery on Friday when a band of snow sweeps the UK

Snow has already started to fall in parts of Wales, and is expected to hit the South West before pushing across the rest of the UK.

But forecasters are predicting the heaviest snowfall of the winter will come on Friday

Up to 10 inches of snow is expected to fall on higher ground, and between three and five inches on lower ground.

Train services are expected to be cancelled, and airports and schools to close.

Temperatures are expected to remain below zero in most parts, making it bitterly cold, while blizzards and strong winds are set to make conditions treacherous on the roads.

Motorists are being warned that heavy snow will arrive before the morning rush-hour.

Snow clings to trees in Sleights, near Whitby, in north east England

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for the East Midlands, North West and South West England, Wales, the West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber.

It comes after a bitterly cold night for much of the UK on Wednesday, with temperatures over East Anglia dropping to -11C.

Further snow showers are expected on Saturday, particularly along eastern coastal areas, with lighter snow showers on Sunday in the Midlands and northwards.

Sky News weather presenter, Jo Wheeler, said: "Temperatures will drop, fog will thicken in the east and there'll be a widespread frost.

"As the rain spreads across Wales and the South West, it will give significant snowfall, potentially up to 9ins (25cm) over exposed uplands.

Shoppers walk in the high street after heavy snowfall in Guisborough

"There'll also be strong winds, with gusts of between 50mph and 60mph which will give blizzard conditions for a while.

"All in all, the travel situation will be quite atrocious for tomorrow's commute or school run.

"The snow will push eastwards during the day, and is expected to reach London around the middle of the day, and eastern coasts by evening.

"Behind the snow however, it will become milder, with rain showers following onto western coasts."

The Highways Agency has warned motorists to check forecasts, allow extra time for their journeys and avoid any unnecessary travel.

An upturned car on the A169 road near Whitby on Tuesday

Steve Crosthwaite, head of the agency's national traffic operations centre, said: "During periods of severe weather we also suggest people consider whether their journey is essential. They may want to delay their travel until conditions improve."

Those who decided to travel have been urged to travel prepared with a fully charged mobile phone, warm waterproof clothes, boots and a blanket, some food and drink, and have a torch, ice scraper, de-icer and a shovel.

The freezing weather has already caused havoc on the roads, with the AA reporting about 1,000 breakdowns an hour, while the RAC said call-outs were up 35% to 10,000.

Rail passengers have been advised to check services before travelling.

South West Trains said it would be operating a revised timetable on a number of routes on Friday - including London to Bournemouth and Weymouth, London to Salisbury and Portsmouth, and London to Reading.

Motorists drive through snowy conditions in Pickering, northern England

East Coast Trains is lifting ticket restrictions for all journeys on its trains which arrive in, or depart from, King's Cross station in London after 10am on Friday.

A spokesman for Southeastern Trains warned "there may be disruption on some routes through the day".

London Fire Brigade has also urged caution during the "Arctic blast".

It follows the rescue of an elderly man from a serious blaze in Wembley, north London, which is believed to have been caused by a halogen heater being placed too close to flammable items.

Firefighters were also called to a  fire in Fulham, west London, after an electric blanket was left on for the weekend.

British Gas said it was expecting a "huge spike of activity" for its home service engineers this weekend, predicting they would attend around 20,000 call-outs.

In Norfolk, 93 schools have been closed due to the weather.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Helicopter Crash: Witnesses Talk Of Shock

Witnesses have described their shock at seeing a helicopter crash in central London after it hit a crane on top of a tower block by the River Thames.

The street was shut down within minutes of the crash

Michael Krumstets and his flatmate were walking to work when "out of the blue, this happened".

He told Sky News: "We saw the helicopter hitting the crane at the top of the building and there was a loud crack, and then the helicopter started spinning out of control and incredibly towards us ... I mean directly towards us.

"We ran to the side of the road and it then crashed into the road just feet away from us and my flatmate fell over and I had to grab him but it was just awful.

"You see a helicopter hurtling out the sky towards you ... it's the last thing you expect on your way to work. And then it exploded.

"You see things like this in films ... of helicopters or planes crashing but when it's actually happening to you, it's coming towards you ... we were so lucky, we were just so lucky.

"We ran to the side of the road and we just managed to get away ... and then it hit the building on the side of the road and then it exploded ... by that point we were just shaken, you couldn't move ... what could you do?"

The crane that the helicopter hit

Commuter Patrick Garland also saw the accident unfold and told Sky News: "I was riding my bike in to work and was about 40 metres from the construction site when I heard a huge collision and a lot of shouting from workers on the site.

"I looked up and saw the helicopter having just crashed into the crane. Debris and rotors had sprayed everywhere and the helicopter had gone into large cyclical loops across Nine Elms and into the flower market.

"I watched what seemed almost like slow motion as it descended into the ground. There was not a large bang when it landed more of just thud and it simultaneously burst into flames.

"A huge plume of acrid black smoke rose and you could see the orange glow of the actual flames. The crane arm came crashing onto the road and there was debris falling everywhere.

"Myself and another cyclist scrambled for a bus shelter to avoid the falling debris. There was metal work (crane tubing and cabling and other building materials) raining down.

A plume of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky

"We sheltered in the bus stop and there were workers running everywhere trying to stop traffic and congregate themselves near the building offices all very chaotic.

"It was a surreal experience and the whole scene just post crash was a scene of chaos and people seeming to not really believe what had just occurred."

Earlier, Sarah-Beth Casey, who lives in an apartment near the scene in Vauxhall, told Sky News: "I have three small children with me in the flat. It's one of your fears that something like this can happen.

"When I heard the explosion it was like a little earthquake. It was like a gas explosion. I looked up to see debris falling off the tower."

Matt Haverson was doing construction work on railway arches close to the crash site.

Wandsworth Road is one of the busiest routes into central London

He said: "It was extremely scary ... I obviously thought it was a terrorist attack." Police have said there is nothing to suggest terrorists were involved.

Commuter Sherna Noah described seeing a "large plume of dark grey smoke" as she crossed Battersea Bridge at around 8am.

She said: "I was coming across the bridge and basically I could see a few cyclists on the bridge looking towards the water. I looked over to see what they were looking at and could see a pall of grey smoke coming from the south side.

"You could see a large plume of dark grey smoke."

People took to Twitter to report gridlocked traffic in the area, with emergency services struggling to get through

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Helicopter Crash In Vauxhall: Fatalities Named

The second person killed when a helicopter crashed in London has been named as Matthew Wood.

The 39-year-old from Sutton and helicopter pilot Peter Barnes died after the aircraft hit a crane on St George Wharf Tower, in Vauxhall, amid heavy fog.

It cartwheeled out of the sky, smashed into two cars as it hit the ground and exploded into flames.

Mr Barnes, aged 50, was the only person aboard the helicopter, while Mr Wood is understood to have been on the ground.

The pilot from the Reading area had worked for the RotorMotion helicopter charter business for 15 years and had flown aircraft during the production of films such as Die Another Day and Saving Private Ryan.

Matthew Wood, 39, was killed in the crash. Pic: Sutton Christian Centre

"He was a very highly skilled pilot, one of the most experienced in the UK, with over 12,000 flying hours," the company said in a statement.

It added it was "devastated by the loss of a highly valued colleague and very dear friend".

The helicopter was on a long lease to RotorMotion from Castle Air Charters, whose managing director Ross Bunyard said: "We are not in a position to make any further comment, beyond expressing our sympathies and condolences to all those affected by the accident."

A number of celebrities had flown with Pete Barnes

Twelve people were injured. Five are in hospital, including one with a broken leg, and seven were treated at the scene.

One man was rescued from a burning car.

Burning wreckage and aviation fuel covered the road, as cars caught fire and people screamed and ran seeking shelter from the flying debris, witnesses have said.

Two office buildings, five cars and two motorbikes were damaged.

Pete Barnes has been described as an experienced pilot

Flames raged and a huge column of black smoke billowed from the crash site just off Wandsworth Road, near South Lambeth Road.

Firefighters said the crane was in a "precarious" position but ruled out any "imminent risk" of a collapse.

They urged people to stay away from the area while specialists assess the damage sustained by the crane.

Rescue crews searched the River Thames following reports that somebody had been seen in the water after the crash.

Emergency services say the Agusta 109 helicopter was on a scheduled commercial flight from Surrey to Elstree, but was diverted to Battersea due to bad weather.

The Agusta 109 helicopter that crashed in central London

Flights in and out of London City Airport, in Docklands, had been delayed earlier in the day due to poor visibility.

Shortly after the crash at around 8am, firefighters, police and ambulances rushed to the scene.

Michael Krumstets, who lives in the area, said he had seen the helicopter hit the crane and the aircraft fall "directly towards us".

"We ran from the side of the road and it hit the road just besides us … and then it exploded," he said.

Sarah-Beth Casey lives in an apartment near the scene.

She told Sky News: "You're always worried about things like 9/11 and things like that.

"When I heard the explosion, it was like a little earthquake. It was like a gas explosion. I looked up to see debris falling off the tower."

The tower is a 185-metre (200-yard) high cylindrical block overlooking the Thames and the Houses of Parliament.

Bruce Grain, a station manager for London Fire Brigade and among the first to arrive at the scene, said the driver of one of the cars that had been hit managed to get out, while the driver of the other vehicle could not be immediately located.

Some cars caught fire and one man was rescued from a burning vehicle

"Large parts of the helicopter are in the road," Mr Grain told Sky News.

"There is debris over surrounding buildings … three buildings."

He said firefighters had extinguished the fire.

David Cameron said rules for helicopter flights over central London would need to be carefully looked at following the accident.

The Prime Minister was "very saddened to learn of the fatalities and injuries" in the crash, his spokesman said.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said the lighting of cranes and tall buildings would be reviewed, but that it would be "premature" to second guess the investigation into the collision.

St George Wharf Tower this morning

Aviation expert Chris Yates told Sky News that any tall structure must have a warning light on top to alert pilots.

The question is, he said, whether there was a warning light on the crane and whether the pilot would have been able to see it in the foggy conditions.

RotorMotion says on its website that its helicopters "are fully instrument qualified to fly in poor weather conditions".

The company, whose website features pictures of famous passengers including the Dalai Lama, offered its "full support and assistance" to authorities investigating the crash.

The crash, which happened close to a railway line during rush hour, disrupted transport across central London.

Roads were cordoned off and train services were briefly suspended but are now running in and out of Waterloo station, while Vauxhall tube station was closed but has now reopened.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Toddler Blind Cord Death Ruled 'Accidental'

A coroner has recorded a verdict of accidental death in the case of a girl who died after becoming tangled in a blind cord.

Alexandra Lucy Hoegh died in her top-floor room at her family's four-storey luxury home in west London's Notting Hill last October.

The inquest heard the toddler was found by her nanny Melinda De La Cruz when she went to wake her from an afternoon nap while her mother Dana Hoegh chatted to a friend, Catherine Mathiesen, downstairs in the kitchen.

Alexandra, who was three weeks from her third birthday, was given mouth-to-mouth in the street by her mother as they waited for an ambulance.

Westminster Coroner's Court heard how she and Ms Mathiesen were found by police crying hysterically in the street as paramedics fought to revive the youngster.

Mrs Hoegh told the inquest the Filipino nanny - who had trained in childcare in her native country but did not complete the course - had arrived late for work at 1.50pm.

She took over from her mother Andrea, who cleaned and helped nanny for the Hoeghs, apologised to Mrs Hoegh and then went upstairs to get the toddler at around 2.10pm.

Alexandra's father Morten Hoegh is estimated to be worth £175m

"A couple of minutes after that we heard a scream, then another scream," Mrs Hoegh told the inquest.

"We went to the door of the kitchen and met Melinda with Alexandra.

"She was blue. She was not breathing.

"I ran downstairs into the street. I asked my friend Catherine to call an ambulance and started mouth-to-mouth on her on the pavement."

Alexandra's father Morten Hoegh, 39, is the chairman of Hoegh LNG - a multibillion-pound oil and gas shipping company based in Norway.

He runs the business between London and Oslo and appears on the Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated fortune of £175m.

Mrs Hoegh said her daughter, the youngest of the couple's three children, had been her usual happy self and had been to her playgroup that morning.

The inquest heard Alexandra was "very adept" at climbing in and out of her cot, using a table next to it. The cot was by the window, which had a roller blind fitted.

Mrs Hoegh added: "I insisted that day she have a nap because she had woken up at 3am."

Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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M5 Pile-Up: Manslaughter Charges Dropped

Manslaughter charges have been dropped against Geoffrey Counsell after seven people died in a pile-up on the M5 during thick fog.

The 50-year-old was in charge of a firework display in a field close to the motorway, at Taunton Rugby Club, at the time of the crash on the night of November 4, 2011.

The pile-up, which involved 34 vehicles and left 51 people injured, was described as one of Britain's worst motorway crashes.

Witnesses afterwards spoke of thick smoke causing visibility problems for motorists.

Anthony and Pamela Adams, Maggie and Michael Barton, Malcolm Beacham, Terry Brice and Kye Thomas all died.

Counsell, from Somerset, was charged with seven counts of manslaughter on October 19 last year.

But when he appeared at Bristol Crown Court, he was told the manslaughter charges were being dropped and he would instead face a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act of failing to ensure the safety of others.

Peter Blair, prosecuting, said they had reviewed the decision after meetings with a range of experts in different disciplines.

"The outcome of the review that took place and developments, including the additional charge of failing to ensure the safety of others under the Health and Safety Act, was the decision that the prosecution will not be pursuing the manslaughter charges," he said.

Adrian Derbyshire, defending, told the court his client should "never have been charged with manslaughter".

But he added the prosecution told him it was the right decision at the time and new evidence had come forward that prompted the decision to review the case.

Terence Brice, whose lorry driver son Terry died in the crash, told Sky News outside court: "I don't think the man did it intentionally ... he lit a fire, the wind blew, blew to the motorway.

"If it had blown the other way none of us would be standing here would we? That's my opinion."

Senior investigation officer for the collision, Detective Superintendent Mike Courtiour, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Our investigation was meticulous and complex. We took hundreds of witness statements, examined 34 vehicles and consulted several experts, including meteorologists, pyrotechnic and forensic specialists.

"Based on this evidence the Crown Prosecution Service took a decision to charge. However, following further consideration in recent weeks they have decided to drop the manslaughter charges."

He added that while health and safety proceedings are continuing, police are not able to comment further.

The charge alleges Counsell failed to ensure he operated the firework display so as to ensure, as far as was reasonably practicable, that others who might be affected were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

This offence carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.

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Weather Warning: The Worst Is Yet To Come

Large swathes of the UK have been hit by heavy snowfall causing travel problems for motorists and rail users.

Weather forecasters say the worst is yet to come with up to 10cm (4in) of snow expected to fall on high ground.

The snow and ice led to more than 20 motorists being rescued by the AA after their cars got stuck, while one rail operator has introduced speed restrictions.

Sleet and snow fell in many parts of England on Monday morning and a second, heavier band is moving south and east.

The worst affected areas are expected to be East Midlands, eastern England, the North East and Yorkshire, for which the Met Office has issued amber warnings.

There are also eight yellow warnings covering parts of England and Scotland, to make people aware of possible disruption.

Amber and yellow warnings have been issued in the UK

The second highest ice and snow alert - level three - is in force for the whole of England - with a 90% chance of severe cold conditions between now and Friday and temperatures falling to below zero overnight.

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "Eastern Britain will have further sleet or snow overnight but it will turn increasingly showery form the north.

"Five to 10cm (2 to 4in) of snow is expected across parts of Lincolnshire and East Anglia. About half that amount is possible across the far south-east of England later.

"Further west, evening showers will tend to die away to leave most places dry. There'll be a widespread frost, giving icy stretches."

Eastergate, West Sussex, by Sky News viewer Grannygill

The AA said it had attended around 9,000 breakdowns including 23 cars stuck in snow - mainly in the Grampians in Scotland, Oxfordshire and the East Midlands.

A spokesman said breakdowns were coming in at more than 1,100 every hour, having peaked at around 1,750. It expected to attend more than 16,000 for the day, compared to around 10,500 on an average Monday.

Rail operator Greater Anglia warned of disruptions to services after placing speed restrictions on some lines because of snow.

It said trains between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich may be delayed by up to 30 minutes, while some early evening services faced cancellation.

View from plane approaching London's Heathrow Airport

Leeds Bradford Airport said severe weather had disrupted its flight schedule for a while but services were now back to normal.

The Highways Agency has warned motorists to take extra care overnight and into the early hours on roads made slippery by frozen snow and sleet.

With temperature set to drop to minus 8C (17.6F) on Wednesday night, the agency said it was "well prepared" for any adverse winter conditions to come.

A spokeswoman said: "We have a fleet of 500 state-of-the-art winter vehicles on standby, supported by tried-and-tested winter resilience plans.

Children play on their sledge in Bingham, Nottinghamshire

"We have reviewed salt stock levels and taken action where needed to enhance our resilience and we have again established a reserve salt stock to help ensure that there is enough salt to deal with severe winter.

"Our roads will be treated whenever there is a risk of ice or snow. However, even when roads have been treated, drivers should still take care, especially on stretches where the local road layout or landscape means there could be a greater risk of ice forming."

Looking ahead to Tuesday, Robinson said: "Eastern coastal counties of Britain will see showers moving southwards, allowing northern parts to have a drier and brighter afternoon.

"Eastern Britain will see an additional 2 to 3cm (1in) in a few places.

A man pushes a bicycle through the snow in Cambridge

"Elsewhere, it'll be mainly dry with good spells of sunshine, but north-west Scotland and west Wales will see the odd wintry shower. It'll remain very cold just about everywhere."

Robsinson added: "Wednesday and Thursday will be a cold and bright for many places, but Ireland will be cloudier and wetter.

"By Friday, south-west Britain could have some snow although at this stage there's a great deal of uncertainty."

:: Send us your photos or videos of the snow where you are.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Breast Cancer: NHS Drugs For Women At Risk

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

Women with a high risk of breast cancer could be prescribed drugs to prevent the disease.

New guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) recommend that post-menopausal women with a strong family history of breast cancer are given the option of taking medication to reduce their risk.

The move was hailed as "historic" by a leading breast cancer charity.

Between 3% and 5% of the 48,000 breast cancers each year are caused by genes that are passed down families. They raise the risk of the disease to around 80% - compared to 12% for the average woman.

Sharon Osbourne chose to have her breasts removed as a precaution

Currently women with one of the genes have regular mammograms to spot tumours early.

Some, including Sharon Osbourne, choose to have their breasts removed even though they are perfectly healthy, to reduce their risk to low levels.

But recent studies have shown that taking the drugs tamoxifen or raloxifene for five years can halve the risk of cancer. Nice says the evidence is strong enough to recommend so-called "chemoprevention".

The US Food and Drug Administration has already approved the drugs for preventing cancer.

Chris Askew, chief executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "This draft guideline represents a historic step for the prevention of breast cancer.

"It is the first time drugs have ever been recommended for reducing breast cancer risk in the UK.

"This is exciting as, even though most women do not have a significant family history of the disease, it's crucial that those who do have an array of options to help them control their risk."

Neither of the drugs is currently licensed for preventing cancer and Nice warns that any doctor prescribing them would have to take "full responsibility for the decision".

The recommendation is part of new draft guidelines on familial breast cancer.

They also extend genetic testing to more women with relatives affected by the disease, as well as recommend regular MRI scans for younger women who carry high risk genes.

Professor Mark Baker, director of the Centre for Clinical Practice at Nice, said: "It's wise for any person with a family history of cancer to receive appropriate investigations and screening that would otherwise be unnecessary if a family history did not exist."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather Warning: 'Severe' Ice And Snow Ahead

Forecasters have issued a new severe weather warning, with a high chance of disruptive ice and snow in England for much of next week.

The Met Office has raised its alert level to three - one step below a national emergency - and said icy conditions could last until Friday morning. 

Snow is expected in the North and East of the country, where downpours will build up on the ground as temperatures remain below zero.

Some snow is also expected in the South East and South West, along with central areas.

The alert warns of severe weather until Friday

All of Britain is already feeling the effects of winter as temperatures continue to linger at zero or just above.

Commuters have been warned to expect difficult journeys on Monday, when several centimetres of snow is expected across large swathes of the UK.

Snow has already begun to fall in Scotland and will slowly spread south today and overnight delivering a light dusting, but a heavier dump is expected to land over north Wales, central England and northern England tomorrow.

On Saturday, temperatures in some areas were between 2C and 5C (36F-41F), but in Inverness and Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands they never got above -1C (28F).

Temperatures were low across the UK overnight into Sunday, with the lowest reading -6C (21.2F) at Shap in Cumbria at 3am.

Road conditions could play havoc

The AA has warned that 75% of drivers are not prepared for conditions on the roads, and urged drivers to carry an essential winter kit and check their cars before getting behind the wheel.

The RAC is expecting up to 56,000 breakdowns and widespread disruption.

It has placed extra patrols on stand-by to help stranded motorists and said call-outs are expected to rise by 20% or more.

The Highways Agency said it is "well prepared" for winter conditions, adding that a fleet of 500 state-of-the-art winter vehicles were on standby.

A spokeswoman said: "Our roads will be treated whenever there is a risk of ice or snow. However, even when roads have been treated, drivers should still take care, especially on stretches where the local road layout or landscape means there could be a greater risk of ice forming."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Imani Green: British Schoolgirl, 8, Shot Dead

A woman has told of the moment her young sister was gunned down and killed in a cafe in Jamaica.

Imani Green, eight, was visiting relatives on the island with her mother when she was shot in the northwestern village of Duncans, in Trelawny.

The youngster, from Balham, south London, is reported to have been shot twice, first in the head and then the shoulder. She was taken to hospital but later died. Three others were injured in the shooting.

The girl's sister, Janella Parmer, said: "We heard gunshots. We ran outside and shouted 'Imani, Imani, Imani'.

The shooting happened in Duncans in Trelawny

"I picked her up off the ground and realised she was still breathing. I flagged down a car and they drove us to hospital. The rest is history."

Imani's brother Dean Palmer, who is in his 20s, told Sky News he was completely devastated by the death of his sister, who he described as "an extremely brave girl".

Speaking before he left the UK for Jamaica, he said Imani suffered from sickle-cell anaemia and visits relatives there twice a year to get away from cold weather that worsens her condition.

He said the family had been in two minds about whether to take her this time but the trip went ahead.

Pinky's Bar in Duncans, where eight-year-old Imani Green was shot dead

Imani's cousin, Marco Dane, 17, who also lives in London, told Sky News: "She was a sweet, innocent girl. She always had a smile on her face."

Neighbours have described their sorrow following the girl's death.

One friend of the family, who asked not to be named, said: "This is a close-knit community, so this is going to hurt us."

Another added: "Nobody wants to speak, she was just a little girl. This is all so sad. We're distraught."

"We do not know the motive. What we can confirm is that Imani was not the target of this shooting," he said.

Imani's head teacher at Fircroft Primary School, in Tooting, said: "Imani was a happy, playful child who was popular with staff and pupils alike.

"She dealt with her illness very bravely and coped well with the special arrangements we had to have in place to support her.

"We are now in the process of contacting all the families of children in the same year group to break this terrible news to them and we will be taking steps to offer support and counselling."

Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting, said: "(I am) devastated to hear the news of eight-year-old schoolgirl Imani Green, a pupil at a Tooting primary school. This is terrible news."

Deputy Superintendent Steve Brown, from Kingston Police, says officers are yet to establish a motive for the shooting.

Imani's killer is understood to have entered the premises - owned by a family member - on Friday evening and argued with another man shortly before the shooting.

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Belfast Protests: 29 Police Officers Injured

Twenty-nine police officers have been injured during disorder in east Belfast.

Police used water cannon during sectarian clashes overnight between loyalists and republicans in the Castlereagh Street area.

Trouble flared after a city centre demonstration against the council's decision to limit the number of days the Union flag is flown from City Hall.

Four of the 29 injured officers were taken to hospital and two remain in treatment.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Matt Baggott said: "This was a difficult operation dealing with a large number of people determined to cause disorder and violence. My colleagues brought the situation under control with exceptional courage and professionalism.

"I know the vast majority of people will be grateful for their efforts. Police will continue to engage with all those committed to finding a solution to these issues."

Police officers helped an injured colleague during the protest

Water cannon were deployed and a non-lethal baton round fired by riot police as they separated opposing factions.

A hail of bricks and fireworks rained down at the Albertbridge Road near the nationalist Short Strand.

Earlier on Saturday, nearly 1,000 people gathered at City Hall to protest.

Senior politicians from Belfast, Dublin and London are to meet next week to discuss the protests after more than 40 days of road blocks and sporadic violence by loyalists have failed to produce a solution.

Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and his deputy Martin McGuinness will join Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers and Ireland's Tanaiste (deputy leader) Eamonn Gilmore.

Mr Gilmore said: "This violence is being orchestrated and those behind it are known criminals, intent on creating chaos.

"This has nothing to do with real issues around flags and identity in a shared society, which are the subject of intensive political discussions at present."

Cars were set alight during the rioting

The demonstrations against Belfast City Council's decision to hoist the Union Flag from the City Hall only on designated days like royal birthdays have brought many parts of Northern Ireland to a standstill.

More than 70 officers have been injured and over 100 arrests made during weeks of sporadic trouble, the PSNI said.

Businesses in Belfast's city centre have struggled to cope, with many reporting lost trade, and the Confederation of British Industry warned some investors may think again.

A doctor was prevented from attending a terminally ill cancer patient because of loyalist road blocks in south Belfast, it was revealed.

A loyalist protester throws a wooden post at police

The GP was travelling to a home call with the sick man when he was stopped twice by crowds of demonstrators who blocked the road.

Police asked them to move but they refused, nationalist SDLP MLA Conall McDevitt said.

He said: "These are depraved acts which immediately dismiss any claim on a protest being peaceful."

The doctor had to wait until the blockade was lifted.

A unionist forum chaired by DUP leader Mr Robinson and UUP leader Mike Nesbitt met last week to discuss ways of empowering loyalist working class communities.

A second peace rally is to be held outside City Hall later today.

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Insurers To Claw Back Cost Of UK Floods

By Isabel Webster, West Of England Correspondent

The clean-up from the 2012 floods is expected to cost insurers over £1bn and push premiums up for a fourth consecutive year.

Eight thousand properties were flooded last year, according to the Environment Agency, as flooding remains Britain's greatest risk.

Residents and business owners in the town of Braunton in Devon experienced flash floods in the days before Christmas.

Pub landlord Mark Ridge, from the London Inn, is expecting to claim in excess of £160,000.

He had initially thought the damage could be repaired in a fortnight but has now been told he will have to close until Easter.

"It soon became apparent that it was a rip-out job, strip the whole pub, and get the insurances involved," said Mr Ridge.

The flood-damaged London Inn in Braunton

"That's everything from the buildings, to contents, stock, loss of earnings, staff wages have to be claimed for as well. All of which we have to pay for first and then claim back - so it's not an easy task."

Four of the top five wettest years on record have been since the year 2,000 which is putting pressure on the Government and insurers to renew their 10-year deal to provide universal cover for all homes, including those in flood prone areas.

Mohammad Khan, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), said: "The weather events of 2012 have dented insurers' profits and will probably lead to renewal premiums rising by up to 5% for those unaffected by the floods and by up to 50% for those flooded.

"The UK floods therefore, have also brought into sharp focus the current standoff between the insurance industry and the Government on the renewal of the Flood Principles - agreement needs to be reached in 2013."

The negotiations over continued cover from insurers, in return from assurances from the Government including the managing of flood risks and robust planning controls, will continue until June.

Last year's flooding is expected to push up insurance premiums

Matt Cullen, from the Association of British Insurers, warned: "We've calculated following some extensive research that if we don't reach agreement with the Government over what replaces the Statement of Principles then around 200,000 homes in flood-proned areas could struggle to access cover."

But the Government has played down the likelihood of such a situation.

A Defra spokesperson said: "We want to find a lasting solution that secures the affordability and availability of flood insurance for the first time, without placing unsustainable costs on wider policyholders or taxpayers.

"Our primary role is to prevent flooding in the first place. We are on course to spend £2.3bn on preventing flooding and coastal erosion over this four-year period."

PwC said it estimates the cost of the floods to the insurance industry in 2012 to now add up to around £1bn.

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