Tributes To British Students Killed In Crash

Pro-Russians' Missile 'Likely Caused Jet Crash'

Updated: 9:17pm UK, Friday 18 July 2014

Britain has said it looks "increasingly likely" the missile which brought down a passenger plane in Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, was fired by pro-Russian separatists.

A Downing Street spokesman said it was "too early to be categoric" but claimed the "growing weight of evidence" suggests the ground-to-air missile was fired from near Torez, in a region controlled by the rebels.

It adds weight to a similar claim made by the US, which said it "cannot rule out" the possibility Russia gave technical assistance to whoever shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

Authorities have begun arriving at the crash site near Grabovo, Donetsk, but European security monitors warned they had not been given "the kind of access they expected".

There are also reports of people taking debris and personal belongings.

Sky's Chief Correspondent Stuart Ramsay, at the scene, said: "Wreckage, bodies and body parts are spread over fields and villages for miles around.

"Volunteers have been marking the locations of dead passengers and crew with sticks and white ribbons."

The plane, a Boeing 777, was heading from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur at an altitude of 33,000ft (10,000m) when contact was lost on Thursday.

Some 80 children were on board, with 189 Dutch and 10 Britons among the victims.

The plane's black box recorders have been found but wreckage is scattered across such a remote and dangerous part of Ukraine, the "full and thorough" investigation demanded by the UN is yet to begin.

The aircraft came down close to where Ukrainian forces have been battling separatists, with both sides blaming each other for the disaster.

Ukraine condemned the "act of terrorism" and released what it claimed was a recording of an intercepted phone call between two Russian military intelligence officers, discussing the downing of the plane.

In an unverified video apparently taken moments after the plane was hit, an alleged pro-Russian rebel boasts: "Wow, that was a blast."

However, Russia pointed the finger at its neighbour, saying it picked up radar activity from a Ukrainian Buk missile system south of Donetsk when the aircraft came down.

The plane is thought to have broken up before hitting the ground, with the cockpit and a turbine found over half a mile apart and the tail reportedly landing six miles away.

Of the bodies strewn across the fields, many were largely intact, with some still strapped into seats.

Condemning what he called an "outrage of unspeakable proportions", US President Barack Obama said: "This is a global tragedy - an Asian airliner destroyed in European skies, with citizens from many countries on board."

Malaysia Airlines, still reeling from the loss of flight MH370 in March, said its plane was on a safe route, following claims it flew into airspace deemed dangerous for civilian aircraft.

Analysis by Sky News showed it was in the same area as four other planes when it was brought down.

More than 800 jets have flown above eastern Ukraine since Monday, some of which strayed into the no-fly zone.

:: Malaysia Airlines has set up an emergency line, 00 6 037 884 1234, for worried relatives, while the Foreign Office helpline is 0207 008 1500.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Devastating': Tributes For UK Plane Victims

Ten Britons are now confirmed to have been among the 298 people on board flight MH17, which was shot down in Ukraine.

Friends and colleagues today paid tribute to the British victims named, including Leeds University student Richard Mayne, 20, from Leicestershire.

He had recently completed a charity trek to Everest Base Camp was described as a man who had a "great thirst for life" and "wanted to make the world a better place" by his former headteacher.

John Wood, from the Dixie Grammar School in Nuneaton, said: "Richard was an extremely pleasant and thoughtful young man who gave his time generously for everyone."

Richard Mayne during a trip to Nepal (L) and Ben Pocock (R). Pics: Facebook

His sister Scarlett posted a picture of her and Richard on Instagram with the caption: "Always been my hero. Forever loved, never forgotten."

Ben Pocock was flying to Australia to begin a professional placement and study, Loughborough University said.

His family have spoken of their "devastation".

"He was a gifted academic, talented athlete but more importantly a warm, caring, fun-loving son and brother who had an extremely bright future ahead of him," they said.

"Ben is going to be terribly missed not only by his family but by the wider Keynsham community where he made so many long-lasting friends."

Helicopter pilot Cameron Dalziel. Pic: Facebook

The latest British victim to be confirmed is Cameron Dalziel, a 42-year-old helicopter pilot living in South Africa.

His brother Campbell Dalziel said he "couldn't believe" his brother was gone: "It was [Thursday evening] while we were watching Sky News - he had been in Amsterdam at a conference.

"If the reports are credible and true we are saddened by this news. It's not only him that was taken away from us.

"From an early age he always believed in helping people you know and encouraging people from being a lifeguard on the beach to flying helicopters.

"He was part of the sea rescue team. He never ever wanted recognition just you know he enjoyed it. He loved doing it. If he didn't love it he wouldn't do it."

Newcastle United fans Liam Sweeney (L) and John Alder

Newcastle United fans, John Alder and Liam Sweeney, who were travelling to see their football team play in New Zealand, also died in the crash, according to NUFC.com and the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

Newcastle United said the pair were among the club's most loyal supporters.

Managing Director Lee Charnley said: "The loss of John and Liam is truly devastating news.

"Both men were dedicated supporters of our Club and were known to thousands of fans and staff alike."

Glenn Thomas was on his way to an Aids conference. Pic: Facebook

Glenn Thomas, 49, from Blackpool, was among 100 delegates reportedly on their way to the International Aids Society (IAS) summit in Melbourne, Australia.

Friends spoke of their shock and loss of the media officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva.

WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said: "We have lost a wonderful person and a great professional. Our hearts are broken. We are all in shock."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Health Fears As UK Gets Hotter Than Bahamas

By Nazaneen Ghaffar, Weather Presenter

Temperatures are set to reach 32C (90F) across many southern parts of Britain over the next few days, leading to the chance of severe thunderstorms.

Today, England and Wales will be mainly dry with spells of warm sunshine and it will feel very warm, especially across the southeast.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic will also have sunny spells, however western Scotland may see some scattered showers.

Temperatures will widely reach the mid to high 20s across England and Wales, and up to 30C (86F) is possible in the southeast.

Enjoying the sun at Gateshead Quayside in Newcastle

However, Scotland and Ireland will be several degrees cooler.

By this evening, thundery showers will spread into Kerry and Cork and move northwards through the night across most of the Republic of Ireland as well as parts of southwest England, Wales, the Midlands and central and southern England.

The heaviest and most torrential downpours are likely over Ireland. It will be a warm and muggy night as well, especially in the south.

Friday will be another very warm day across England and Wales with high humidity.

A warning for heavy rain on Saturday has been issued. Pic: Met Office

The showers and thunderstorms will continue spreading northwards into Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland.

As the showers clear, long spells of sunshine will develop in the south. Temperatures will be high again, up to 32C (90F) in the south.

However, from Friday night and into Saturday the Met Office has issued a weather warning for heavy thundery showers for England, Wales and southern Scotland

It says frequent lightning, large hail and strong gusts are possible - as well as flooding.

The hot weather has brought health warnings from authorities - especially for the elderly, the young and those with serious illnesses.

Dr Paul Cosford, director for health protection at PHE, said: "Older people and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so it's important to look out for them and keep indoor areas as cool as possible."

The Met Office has declared a level 2 heat-health alert, which is activated when there is at least a 60% chance of temperatures being high enough on at least two consecutive days and into the night to have an impact on health.

The hottest areas will be in the South East of England. Pic: Met Office Friday will be the hottest day, with temperatures 30C or more in places

The reason for the hot conditions is southerly winds dragging up very warm and humid air, mainly from Iberia where temperatures are close to 40C (104F) in the south of Spain.

Next week's temperatures are likely to be a little lower, however it will still feel very warm and there will still be some thunderstorms.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

How To Keep Your Cool In The Summer Heatwave

Public Health England and the NHS have given the following guidance to help people during the heatwave.

:: Try to keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11am to 3pm. If you are outside, stay in the shade where possible.

:: Apply sunscreen of at least SPF15 with UVA protection.

:: Avoid strenuous activity.

:: Wear UV sunglasses, preferably wrap-around, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes.

:: Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes, a hat and light scarf.

:: Drink lots of cool non-alcoholic drinks and food with high-water content, such as fruit and salads.

:: Look out for others, especially vulnerable groups such as older people, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses.

:: Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.

:: Keep your house cool - close light-coloured curtains on windows that get direct sun; open windows overnight if safe; turn off non-essential light and electrical items that generate heat.

:: Cool (not cold) showers and baths may help; also try sprinkling water over skin and clothes, or a damp cloth on the back of your neck

:: If observing Ramadan, drink lots of water between fasts. If you feel unwell, confused or disorientated consider breaking your fast. The Muslim Council of Britain says this is allowable under Islamic law.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

IRA Suspect Letters Inquiry Results Due

By Ian Woods, Senior News Correspondent

A Government-ordered inquiry will publish its report later into how nearly 200 IRA suspects were given official letters saying they were not under investigation - a secret process that led to one of them walking free from the Old Bailey.

John Downey was due to stand trial for the 1982 Hyde Park bombing in which four members of the Household Cavalry were killed.

But the judge halted the prosecution when he heard the Donegal man had received a letter from government officials saying he was not considered a suspect.

It emerged that 187 such letters had been provided as part of the negotiating process between Tony Blair's government and leaders of Sinn Fein.

British ministers and officials were eager to advance the peace process, but could not get all-party support for legislation which would deal with suspects who had avoided arrest.

Prisoners who had been convicted of terrorism offences received early release from jail under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, but no solution could be found to those who were described as "on the runs" - who had escaped custody or never been caught.

The Hyde Park bombing left several horses among the dead

So letters were sent to those who, through Sinn Fein, sought assurances about their status.

The letter to John Downey from the Northern Ireland Office said: "The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has been informed by the Attorney General that on the basis of the information currently available there is no outstanding direction for prosecution in Northern Ireland, there are no warrants in existence nor are you wanted in Northern Ireland for arrest, questioning or charge by the police.

"The Police Service of Northern Ireland are not aware of any interest in you from any other police force in the United Kingdom."

In fact this letter was wrong - he was wanted by the Metropolitan Police for questioning about the Hyde Park attack, and was arrested during a visit to England in 2013.

His trial was abandoned after his defence revealed the existence of the letter and the process behind it.

The Government said it was an "administrative scheme"; Unionists called it an amnesty or a Get Out Of Jail Free Card. Northern Ireland's first minister Peter Robinson threatened to resign unless there was an inquiry.

Lady Justice Hallett will publish her findings today, with Democratic Unionist MP Nigel Dodds telling Sky News: "This was a deal done by Tony Blair and Gerry Adams, it was kept secret from everybody.

Four members of the Blues and Royals were killed at Hyde Park

"We want the cold light of day shone upon it so we get to the facts of how it all emerged and how it operated.

"But then looking forward, we want to see that these letters will not provide future comfort to terrorist suspects and that people will be very clear that if there is evidence that they will be pursued through the courts."

There is also a Westminster inquiry, handled by the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee. Members want Tony Blair to give evidence to them in public, but so far there has been no date agreed to do so.

Northern Ireland's Attorney General John Larkin, and Peter Hain, the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, have both suggested some form of amnesty for crimes committed before the Good Friday Agreement, in order to draw a line under the past.

But Peter Corrigan of Amnesty International told Sky News: "Sadly victims are seen in some quarters as an inconvenience to be overcome in the greater interests of the peace process.

"That's not how we see it and when a few politicians have flown the kite of a possible amnesty for all pre Good Friday Agreement offences, it's almost universally been rejected by victims and it's certainly rejected by Amnesty International, and by most politicians here."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hair Salon Killer Jailed For At Least 24 Years

Asher Maslin, who stabbed his ex-girlfriend Hollie Gazzard to death at the hair salon where she worked, has been jailed for life.

Maslin, 22, was told he would have to serve a minimum of 24 years in prison.

The former security guard attacked his 20-year-old ex-girlfriend at the Fringe Benefits & La Bella Beauty salon in Gloucester on February 18.

Staff and customers tried to protect her, but Maslin cornered her and stabbed her 14 times with a £3 knife he had bought on the way to confront her. She had recently ended their relationship.

Hollie Gazzard had asked colleagues to phone police if Maslin turned up

Police were already on their way to the salon as Ms Gazzard had asked colleagues to phone 999 immediately if Maslin turned up.

She was pronounced dead just over an hour after the attack at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Maslin was arrested the following day and later admitted a charge of murder.

Sentencing him at Gloucester Crown Court, Mr Justice Teare said: "The number of stab wounds on a defenceless young woman show that this was a merciless killing.

Maslin went to the salon to confront Ms Gazzard

"It was carried out in public, witnessed by customers of the salon, colleagues of Hollie Gazzard and by passers-by.

"Hollie Gazzard was 20 years of age and at the start of her adult life. As her father said, 'the world was at her feet'.

"Hollie's father and sister have described the devastating effect Hollie's death has had on them and on other members of the family."

The judge added that Maslin had taken cocaine and crack cocaine in the days before the killing.

As he was taken away, Maslin nodded to members of his family, who were weeping in the public gallery, and said: "Sorry."

Miss Gazzard was stabbed 14 times in front of colleagues

Miss Gazzard suffered multiple wounds in the attack and died as a result of massive blood loss.

The court heard she was killed days after ending their relationship. Maslin also sent her threatening text messages before carrying out the attack.

Hollie's father Nick Gazzard said: "She was a character, she would keep you on your toes. She used to light up the room when she came home from work.

"It is such a loss now not to have her around. It was like a light bulb going on when she came in."

The family, from Churchdown, near Gloucester, have launched a foundation - the Hollie Gazzard Trust - in her memory, to protect young people from knife crime and domestic violence.

Solicitor Steven Young read a statement on behalf of Maslin's mother Sam outside the court.

It said: "Hollie's death has been a tragedy. She was a beautiful young woman and there was a time that she and Asher loved each other.

"Asher cannot explain whey he did what he did. All he can now do is express through us his deeply felt sorrow for the pain which he has caused to so many people."

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Bean said: "This horrific and violent attack was a spiteful and cowardly reaction by a self-obsessed individual who couldn't handle rejection."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Face Probe After Couple Stabbed To Death

By Adele Robinson, Midlands Correspondent

An investigation is under way after a couple were found stabbed to death 20 minutes after emergency services left their home.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is looking into how West Midlands Police handled the incident.

Pin Chang, 58, and his wife Quoi Chang, 50, died at their home in Hermitage Road, Solihull, in the early hours of July 7.

The couple's 23-year-old son was found with serious injuries at the property. He is currently under police guard in hospital in connection with the deaths.

The West Midlands Ambulance Service was first called to the home by a resident at the property at 3.39am. Medics then alerted police who arrived at 3.56am.

Forensics officers were seen at the house

The police officers subsequently left the property at 4.48am, and the ambulance crew at 5.06am.

It is understood that the decision was made to refer the son for a mental health assessment, to be carried out at a later date.

However, a 999 call was made 11 minutes later, at 5.17am. Ambulance crews then returned to the scene at 5.26am, 20 minutes after leaving.

Police officers arrived at the property at 5.33am, 45 minutes after leaving.

Pin Chang and Quoi Chang were then found at the property with fatal stab injuries.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Westminster Child Abuse: Call For Cop Amnesty

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent

A former Special Branch police officer has called for an amnesty to help retired colleagues share what they knew of the paedophile network operating in Westminster in the 1980s.

Chris Hobbs, who had a 32-year career with the Metropolitan Police, told Sky News many former officers would be carefully considering the implications of revealing what they knew about the allegations.

Mr Hobbs said: "It is clear that quite a few police officers probably from commissioner, chief constable rank right the way down to detective constables will know something."

"I think the only way that you will get all police officers to come forward is to offer them some sort of protection, some sort of amnesty.

Mr Hobbs during his time as a Special Branch officer

"It would help set officers' minds at rest... that they weren't suddenly going to subject to the criminal investigations for just possibly doing what they were told."  

"I certainly heard nothing in the 80s other than Cyril Smith and every police officer in London had heard the rumours about Cyril Smith." 

The late Rochdale MP is one of the named abusers of young boys but the current allegations also concern political figures who are still alive.

It is claimed that a powerful paedophile ring operated at Westminster

Mr Hobbs added that the Metropolitan Police's track record in dealing with whistleblowers is another reason why former officers may be reluctant to step forward.

He said: "They will be thinking to themselves, 'shall I come forward, dare I risk it or if I keep my head down will the storm pass me by?'"

Allegations of abuse have been made against the late Liberal MP Cyril Smith

Peter Garsden, President of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers, said any amnesty would need to carefully put together:

He told Sky News: "It depends what they are being given an amnesty against - if it is an intention to pervert the course of justice then that is fine. However, if they are part of a paedophile ring that involves the MPs then one does not want to let them off a criminal prosecution."

The Metropolitan Police could not comment on whether any amnesty scheme has been considered in relation to their current investigations.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Women Bishops Approved By Church Of England

The Church of England has voted to allow women bishops for first time in its history.

The decision, taken by the General Synod in York, reverses a previous rejection in 2012.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, said: "Today is the completion of what was begun over 20 years ago with the ordination of women as priests.

"I am delighted with today's result. Today marks the start of a great adventure."

The issue over whether women should be allowed to become bishops has caused internal division since the Synod approved female priests in 1992.

The latest decision, approved in all three houses of the church's governing body, followed a five-hour debate.

Women bishops could now be appointed by the end of this year in the Church of England.

Reverend Lindsay Southern, from the parish of Catterick with Tunstall, North Yorkshire, said she had not really believed it could happen.

The decision reverses a previous rejection in 2012

"We are ecstatic, we are so pleased, it's been a really long journey but we were so pleased with the graciousness of the Synod debate," she said.

"To be at this point is really wonderful, I don't think any of us really expected that it really would go through. We're very relieved, very joyful, and I really want to go and hug a bishop."

One vote saw 37 bishops in favour, two against and one abstention. Another ended with 162 clergy in favour, 25 against and four abstentions. And in the crucial lay vote there were 152 in favour, 45 against and five abstentions.

In 2012 the introduction of female bishops was derailed by just six votes cast by lay members.

Archbishop Welby staked his authority on the new proposals and promised traditionalists he would commit to meeting their needs should they pass them.

The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, said it was a "momentous day".

He said: "Generations of women have served the Lord faithfully in the Church of England for centuries. It is a moment of joy today: the office of Bishop is open to them."

All three houses of the Synod approved women bishops

Women bishops are already in office in places such as the US, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

The news was welcomed by Prime Minister David Cameron.

"I warmly welcome today's vote formally approving women bishops - a great day for the Church and for equality," he tweeted.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband also gave the thumbs up, but not all church conservatives were convinced.

Chik Kaw Tan, a lay member from the Lichfield Diocese, said: "The very same arguments that are being used to promote women in the episcopate are the very same arguments that are being used to redefine marriage from that which is between a man and a woman to two persons of the same sex."

The plan will create an independent official who could intervene when traditionalist parishes complain about a bishop's authority, as well as guidelines for parishes whose congregations reject women's ministry.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

NHS To Monitor Nurses For 'Red Flag' Errors

By Thomas Moore, Health Correspondent

Hospitals have been issued with a new checklist that should ensure they have enough nurses to provide safe care.

The NHS watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said all hospitals in England should monitor for "red flag" events that indicate staff are under too much pressure.

They include forgetting a patient's medication, failing to check patients are eating and drinking enough, and omitting to regularly turn immobile patients to reduce the risk of pressure sores.

Any ward manager should be able to respond to red flag events by calling for immediate back-up from other departments, according to new guidelines.

If it happens too often, managers will have to recruit more staff.

"The point of a red flag is that additional staff are required pretty urgently on the ward to make sure that those key things are delivered," said Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive at Nice.

The watchdog hopes to avoid a repeat of the Stafford Hospital scandal

The watchdog rejected calls to set a national staffing ratio.

It says a target of one nurse to eight patients is too rigid. Some patients - such as the elderly - need far more care than others.

Professor Leng added: "Safe staffing is more complex than setting a single ratio.

"The emphasis should not just be on the available number of staff, it should be on delivering safe patient care and making sure that hospital management and nursing staff are absolutely clear on best practice to do this."

The guidance was welcomed by the Royal College of Nursing.

Chief Executive Dr Peter Carter said: "The needs of patients should be the only thing determining staffing levels - not finances.

RCN chief Peter Carter warned finances should not dictate care levels

"Patient care must not be compromised because of short-term financial cuts and a minimum safe staffing level should not become a default staffing level."

Nice estimates that hiring extra nurses to meet safe staffing levels will cost £200m.

But the better quality care they will provide will save £1bn by reducing pressure sores and another £700m by preventing wound infections.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Recent years have seen a big jump in nursing numbers in hospital wards, with 6,200 more nurses since 2010. Today's guidance will help the NHS use staff as effectively as possible."

Labour's shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: "Hospitals across England are operating way beyond recommended capacity levels and, because of this, too many do not have enough staff to provide safe care.

"In the last year, inspectors failed one in six hospitals for not having adequate numbers of staff."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

RAF's F-35 Jet Misses Planned Air Show Debut

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

The Royal Air Force's expensive new fighter jet has failed to make its long-awaited UK debut after a fire grounded the entire fleet of aircraft.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is known as the Lightning II in the UK and is supposedly the future of military aviation.

It had been due to fly at the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire on Monday, after failing to make the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, Gloucestershire, on Friday.

But in a hugely embarrassing glitch for the Government, the costly planes will have to remain on a runway in Florida until engineers can be sure the fire was caused by an isolated fault.

A senior British defence source told Sky News that Lockheed Martin, the primary manufacturers, and the Pentagon will "get a shoeing" over the grounding.

The F-35 is being built at Lockheed Martin's factory in Fort Worth, Texas

The UK is investing billions of pounds and staking the reputation of the military on the eventual success of the F-35 programme.

Four of the Lightning II jets were due to fly over Farnborough and organisers of the show said they were "hopeful" the aircraft would make its transatlantic journey by the end of the week.

They added: "We fully support the stance to never compromise safety of either pilots or show participants and we thank them all for their continued hard work."

To coincide with the aircraft's planned appearance at Farnborough, the UK Government is expected to announce how many aircraft it will buy in its first tranche of orders.

Later this decade, the F-35 will fly off the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, which was officially named last week.

Lightning II made its first vertical landing at sea in October

The aircraft can take off on a short runway and land vertically - much like its predecessor, the Harrier.

The F-35 Lightning II programme has been beset by problems, with aircraft grounded on a number of occasions and spending that has run wildly over budget.

Different versions are being built by Lockheed Martin for the US Marines, the US Air Force and the US Army.

The UK is known as a "tier one" partner, meaning it is the most important contributor after the Pentagon.

Despite much criticism and speculation over the aircraft's future, Washington and London will not back out.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said the UK "remains fully committed" to the programme.

To cover the humiliation of the F-35's absence, the Government may make announcements about increased defence capabilities instead.

Sky News understands the lifespan of the Sentinel surveillance plane will be extended.

The fleet had been earmarked for retirement but has seen strong demand in recent years in Mali, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Libya.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Women Bishops: Church Of England Faces Vote

Will Church Vote Pave Way For Female Archbishop?

Updated: 2:50am UK, Monday 14 July 2014

By Vicky Beeching, for Sky News

Today, the Church of England will take what could be a historic vote - it's most significant in 20 years.

If the vote passes, women will be able to become Bishops for the first time.

The Church of England has had female priests, or vicars, since 1994, when the first 32 were ordained at Bristol Cathedral.

But they couldn't be promoted to higher levels of leadership; a stained glass ceiling existed for them and it remains today.

You may have a sense of déjà vu about this. Didn't the Church already take this vote? Yes, in November 2012 - and it failed to pass.

So how does all of this work? The Church of England has a governing body called the General Synod.

It's made up of three Houses, a bit like Harry Potter with the Houses of Griffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, the General Synod has the House of Bishops - the senior leaders, the House of Clergy - the priests, and the House of Laity - the churchgoers, known as lay people.

To pass the legislation on women bishops, each House has to vote in favour with a 2/3 majority.

In November 2012, the House of Bishops and the House of Clergy both voted in favour. The reason it failed hinged on a small margin - just six votes in the House of Laity - so it was the churchgoers who voted it down.

The same people who voted in 2012 will sit at this Synod, so there is still a chance it could be a 'no' again. But most are quietly hopeful that it will go through, albeit with close numbers.

The vote happens this afternoon in York. First there will be a debate, then voting is carried out electronically and in total silence. This will take place by 6.15pm at the latest.

If the outcome is a 'no', it's likely that Parliament will want to to step in, as they were keen to do so back in 2012. Since then, the Church has had almost two years to try and fix the issue themselves, so it seems conceivable that the Government might want to push through the legislation themselves.

If the vote is a 'yes' it then has to go through Parliament, and get Royal Assent, but these should happen quickly and would enable the first female bishop to potentially be appointed early next year.

Each Bishop looks after an area known as a See.

To appoint a Bishop, first one of these Sees has to become available. Then, as there are no plans within the Church for "all women shortlists",  a candidate would need to prove they were the best person for the job, regardless of gender.

Once women can become bishops, there's no limit to how far they could progress in church hierarchy.

If the vote passes, it's possible we could even see a female Archbishop in our lifetime. Now that would truly be an achievement for gender equality and the Christian faith.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mountain Sale Battle Heading For The Courts

By Gerard Tubb, North of England Correspondent

A row over who should own a Lake District mountain could end up in the courts after walkers had it recognised as a community asset.

More than 6,000 people joined a campaign group to buy the 2,848 foot (878 metre) high Blencathra range when it was put up for sale in May by the Earl of Lonsdale, Hugh Lowther.

Mike Alston: 'It's all about the community spirit'

The group, Friends of Blencathra, say they were advised to offer less than the £1.75m guide price, which led to them being outbid by an unnamed private buyer.

Last week, the group persuaded Eden District Council to list the mountain under the Localism Act which gives communities six months to raise the money needed to buy registered assets and an opportunity to apply for funds.

Now it is claimed lawyers could get involved after agents for the owner announced they are going ahead with plans to sell the mountain to the successful bidder.

If that happens, Eden District Council leader Gordon Nicolson told Sky News that he expects the community group will ask the council for help.

"If the Friends of Blencathra were unhappy about the sale the first place they would come is knocking on our door, and because this has never happened before our first thing to do would be to take further (legal) advice," he said.

The Friends of Blencathra say they can afford to pay £1.75m and want to protect the mountain for future generations.

The mountain was put up for sale for £1.75m by the Earl of Lonsdale

"It's all about the community spirit and everybody wanting to keep the Lake District how it's been for hundreds of years," said Mike Alston, a member of the group.

Lord Lonsdale, who is selling Blencathra to help pay a tax bill following the death of his father, the seventh Earl of Lonsdale, was not available for interview.

But his agents, H&H Land and Property, said a provision of the Localism Act exempts the Blencathra estate under inheritance tax rules and insisted the sale would go ahead as planned.

In a statement, director John Robson said: "The Friends of Blencathra have achieved much in a short space of time, but their bid was significantly below the guide price.

"The estate will now move towards exchange with the successful party."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ambulance Response Times 'Putting Lives At Risk'

Ambulances are taking longer to reach patients suffering from life-threatening conditions compared to three years ago, according to a new report.

Figures from NHS England suggest that in some areas of the UK, heart attack and stroke victims have to wait almost three minutes more to be seen by a paramedic.

Category A calls where a patient's life is in danger should arrive within eight minutes. But ambulances are taking more than a minute longer to arrive on average and experts warn this is putting lives at risk.

Dr Dale Webb, director of research and information at the Stroke Association, said: "When a stroke strikes, the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off which causes brain cells in the affected area to die.

Paramedic Danny Wroe says increases in traffic are causing longer delays

"So time lost is brain lost. These figures are a concern because stroke patients need to get specialist treatment as soon as possible.

"The quicker someone arrives at a specialist stroke unit the quicker they should receive the right treatment and the more likely they are to make a better recovery."

In the East of England, ambulances are taking some 2.8 minutes longer to respond to the most serious calls. In the East Midlands, ambulances are taking 2.3 minutes longer compared to three years ago.

But an East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson cast doubt on the data.

''EMAS is an improving organisation and hit all of its key performance standards during the first quarter of 2014," he said.

One trust is recruiting more staff like Danny to help with response times

''The method used nationally to measure response times changed between years so the figures quoted do not compare like with like.

"The figure of 489 seconds for May 2014 uses the new criteria and is correct. However, if the new measurement criteria were applied to the May 2013 figure, it would read 476 rather than 376.

"This means the change from 2013 to 2014 is 13 seconds."

Portsmouth-based paramedic Danny Wroe told Sky News: "Traffic is on the increase and people's inability to use their mirrors is a major thing."

The chief executive of the East of England Ambulance Service said the service was dealing with delays by recruiting extra paramedics and putting additional ambulances on the road.

Dr Anthony Marsh said: "We are putting more staff on the front line and reducing the number of cars to increase the number of ambulances.

"We are recruiting 400 student paramedics by April 2015, the first group of which are already working from ambulance stations across the region, as well as up-skilling our existing emergency medical technicians and emergency care assistants.

"Additional ambulances are also on the road, and we launched a replacement programme to ensure no ambulance in our fleet is older than five years by next spring."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More