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MI5: Al Qaeda Plotting New Massacre In Britain

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 10 Januari 2015 | 10.18

By Sam Kiley, Foreign Affairs Editor

Al Qaeda is plotting to massacre huge numbers of civilians in Britain and other western countries, the head of Mi5 has warned.

Andrew Parker, director general of the security service, told a select group mostly from the Royal United Services Institute at his London headquarters that while the so-called Islamic State is the newest threat to the West and that self-started lone wolf plots are hard to foil, al Qaeda still has ambitions for something more spectacular.

He said: "We know that terrorists based in Syria harbour... ambitions towards the UK - trying to direct attacks against our country, and exhorting extremists here to act independently."

But this was in addition to newly identified plans from al Qaeda to revisit their traditional style of operations.

He said: "…we still face more complex and ambitious plots that follow the now sadly well-established approach of al Qaeda and its imitators: attempts to cause large scale loss of life, often by attacking transport systems or iconic targets.

"We know, for example, that a group of core al Qaeda terrorists in Syria is planning mass casualty attacks against the West."

Al Qaeda experts are known to have moved from Pakistan to Syria, where they may be able to draw on British volunteers to conduct attacks in the UK. Their mission is entirely focussed on plots against the West.

They are known to be led by Muhsin al Fadhli, an expert bomb maker wanted by the FBI who has a $7m price on his head. He moved to Syria two years ago and was unsuccessfully targeted in a coalition air strike last year.

It is also known that British citizens are in the ranks of al Qaeda in Syria and could be used in a major atrocity back home.

The domestic spy chief spoke hours after the UK's COBRA committee ordered a boost to national security.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Following the attacks we took the precautionary step yesterday of increasing security at the French-UK border.

"The UK threat level, which is set by the independent Joint Terrorism Advisory Centre, remains at severe; that means a terrorist attack is highly likely and the public should remain vigilant.

"This morning I chaired COBRA to consider Britain's response to the attacks and our own preparedness to a similar attack."

Extra police have already been deployed at British ports and stations serving the Eurostar.

Lone wolf plots aimed at the police and military have surged over the last year and these have combined with the Paris killings to cause unease among officers.

"It's a huge worry for us," said Sir Peter Fahy, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police.

"There is a particular increased threat to police officers at the moment and there have been a number of attacks foiled in differed parts of the country, but I can tell you that our officers are very concerned about it… they see what happened in France, and clearly we are an unarmed police force but it is the nature of that threat which is worrying but despite that our officers go out there and do their duty." 

Such concerns from front line police reflect similar fears in the intelligence community. Put simply - the world is getting more dangerous.


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Britain Braced For Second Storm - And Snow

The first widespread snowfall of the year is expected today as a second burst of extreme weather from across the Atlantic sweeps parts of the country, the Met Office has said.

More than 100,000 homes were left without power on Friday as hurricane-force winds bringing gusts of up to 113mph battered the north of Britain, bringing down power lines.

The worst affected areas were across the Highlands, islands, Aberdeenshire and the central belt of Scotland.

There was also major disruption to travel services, with ScotRail forced to temporarily suspend all train services in Scotland over safety reasons.

Ferries were cancelled, roads closed and the Forth Road Bridge was shut for a period after van was blown onto its side.

A gust of 113mph was recorded at Stornoway, the strongest there since records began in 1970.

The ferocious gales have been stirred up by an extra-powerful jet stream triggered by plunging temperatures in the US hitting warmer air in the south.

Gales are expected to return this weekend but are due to peak at around 80mph.

Forecasters said they will be accompanied by snow with yellow "be prepared" weather alerts in place for all of Scotland, the north and Midlands of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: "As we go through Saturday morning a band of squally rain will move south eastwards and that's going to bring brighter but much colder conditions behind it.

"Some showers are likely to be heavy and may well fall as sleet or snow, particularly in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England and some of the showers could bring significant accumulations, particularly over higher ground. We could widely see 2cm to 4cm of snow, and perhaps 8cm on the highest ground.

"That could cause major disruption to travel so there are yellow warnings in place for affected areas.

"As it moves south it will leave colder conditions so after a mild night temperatures will really tumble to 4 or 5C."

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution said it has restored supplies to 68,000 customers and is working to restore electricity to a further 28,000 customers.

It said its engineers were continuing to reconnect homes today, but staff were "facing a monumental task'' in getting to damaged lines in remote parts.

Scottish Power said around 20,000 customers have been reconnected after losing power, with work ongoing to reach a further 800 properties.


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sponsor's Last Minute Warning Over Evans Deal

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 08 Januari 2015 | 10.18

A major sponsor has threatened to withdraw its support from Oldham Athletic Football Club if they complete the signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans.

ZenOffice made the threat amid reports the 26-year-old has already agreed personal terms and could be in the squad for Saturday's game against Doncaster.

The company said in a statement it had sponsored League One Oldham for five years and the relationship was based on "mutual respect" and the fact they shared the same "family and community" values.

But it warned: "ZenOffice do not agree that the current path OAFC are embarking on espouses these values.

"Therefore it is with much regret that ZenOffice would like to confirm that we will end our association with Oldham if the move goes ahead to sign Ched Evans."

According to Sky sources Oldham are on the verge of signing Evans after canvassing opinion among fans and sponsors including ZenOffice.

Sky Sports News reporter James Cooper said: "There has been a split among fans and sponsors but one of the major sponsors have assured them they will remain a key part of the club.

"If Evans completes the switch he'll be attending a medical and the staff will be ready to carry that out. It looks like three days of waiting for a resolution is almost over."

Secondary shirt sponsors Carter Moore Solicitors have apparently told Oldham they will continue to back them whatever they decide.

But the club has come under increasing pressure to turn its back on Evans with tens of thousands of people signing an online petition and local police and politicians voicing their concerns.

The Wales international has been unable to find a team since being released from prison in October after serving half of a five-year sentence for rape.

He had trained with his previous employers Sheffield United after leaving jail but any hopes of him rejoining them were dashed by fierce opposition from influential figures including Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill.

Reports that Evans had been offered a contract by a leading Maltese club were denied by his spokesman.

Oldham are currently 14th in League One.


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ministers Reject Call For A&E 'Crisis' Summit

The Government has rejected Labour's calls for an emergency summit to discuss ways of easing the growing pressure on accident and emergency (A&E) departments.

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham had called for health, social care, council and emergency services to meet after the worst A&E admissions figures in a decade.

More than a dozen hospitals including Addenbrooke's in Cambridge have declared major incidents because of a surge in demand.

The Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) has also raised concerns about the knock-on effect, saying vehicles have been pressed into service as makeshift ambulances.

But a Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The Secretary of State (Jeremy Hunt) has been holding weekly meetings about A&E pressures since March last year.

"Alongside colleagues across government and the NHS nationally, we continue to work with the local NHS to help support them through the winter."

:: Click here for the In The Margins console 

Prime Minster David Cameron has admitted the NHS is under pressure following the release of figures showing waiting times at A&E in England have hit their worst level in 10 years.

However,the dismissed claims the service is on the brink of disaster.

Mr Burnham has published a letter accusing Mr Hunt of failing to anticipate the current problems.

Reports of fire engines and police cars being increasingly used as ambulances raised "major patient and public safety concerns", he wrote.

Mr Burnham said any summit needed to include representatives from the police, fire and ambulance services as well as NHS professionals.

The latest figures on A&E waiting times showed just 92.6% of patients were treated within the four-hour time limit against a target of 95%

The figure is much worse in Wales, where Labour is in charge, but Mr Burnham told Sky News statistics are not the most important thing.

He said: "What really matters is that there are thousands of people today waiting on a trolley in hospital corridors, held in the back of ambulances outside A&E, people who cannot get the care they need in a very serious situation.

"The emergency services are not functioning as they should be. That's a serious issue. It requires urgent action and constructive suggestions."

The British Medical Association says there are now "unprecedented levels of pressure" on the health service, while the Royal College of Nursing said the system was in "crisis".

Mr Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband clashed over the issue at Prime Minister's questions.

Mr Miliband accused Mr Cameron of "blaming the patients" for the pressure on A&E departments and claimed he was "in denial" about the state of the NHS.

Mr Cameron in turn accused Mr Miliband of "weaponising" the health service in a "disgusting" attempt to make political capital from its difficulties.

The hospitals that have declared major incidents are:

:: The Royal Bolton Hospital
:: Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge
:: Scarborough Hospital In Yorkshire
:: Royal Stoke University Hospital
:: Peterborough City in Cambridgeshire
:: Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
:: Cheltenham General Hospitals
:: Walsall Manor in the West Midlands
:: Croydon Hospital in south London
:: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals
:: Ashford and St Peter's hospitals in Surrey
:: Stafford's County Hospital
:: Leicester General, Glenfield and Leicester Royal hospitals


10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Obesity Boom 'Threatens To Overwhelm NHS'

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 07 Januari 2015 | 10.19

By Adele Robinson, Sky News Correspondent

Sky News is following four people as they embark on a mission to lose excess weight to find out whether diets really hold the key to tackling Britain's obesity epidemic.

Some £5.1bn a year is spent by the NHS on problems caused by eating too much and not taking enough exercise - and experts warn it will be completely swamped if action is not taken.

Latest figures show the number of hospital admissions linked to obesity in England rose tenfold in the 10 years to 2012-13 - from 29,237 to 292,404.

Tom Sanders, emeritus professor of nutrition and dietetics at King's College London, told Sky News the NHS could not cope with the increased demand for surgery to help with weight loss.

"Unless obesity can be successfully prevented, it will overwhelm the NHS," he said.

However, an even greater burden is type 2 diabetes, which can cause a host of life-limiting and deadly conditions, including strokes, heart attacks and cancer.

Something undeniably needs to be done, but does the diet industry hold the answer?

As part of a series of reports looking at the truth behind dieting, Sky News is following four people who badly want to lose weight.

Safira Ali, 32, weighs more than 17 stone and wants to shed the pounds to have children.

Hywell Roberts, 33, weighs 15 stone 9 pounds and is concerned about his long-term health.

Michelle Okpocha, 47, weighs over 15 stone and says she was lighter when she was pregnant.

Philip Wark, 38, weighs more than 18 stone and believes he is living "on borrowed time".

Sky will follow them as they each try different medically-supervised diets to see whether they can achieve their goals and go on to keep the weight off.

Politicians agree it is a huge problem but are divided when it comes to how to deal with it.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt says part of the solution relies on early intervention.

"I think the shocking statistic is that 9% of children enter primary school clinically obese and 19% leave obese. That is just not acceptable and we need to do a lot more."

He added that "it's not necessarily one thing that would work everywhere" but there needs to be encouragement for "much closer engagement between NHS and the school system".

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham told Sky part of the answer lies in "exercise on referral or on prescription".

"So instead of people being put on medication, people are put on specialist weight management and exercise courses to break the cycle and get control," he said.

"The sustainability of the NHS is a major question here. I believe that physical activity is the cheapest route towards a sustainable NHS in the 21st Century."


10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Huge Increase' In Hospital Obesity Operations

By Tom Sanders, emeritus Professor of Nutrition & Dietetics, King's College London

Obesity affects a quarter of UK adults but what is of most concern is its burden on the NHS.

Severe obesity can cause sleep apnoea, where breathing is interrupted, and can be fatal if untreated. Patients with this disorder are often offered weight reducing bariatric surgery.

There has been a huge increase in primary referrals to the NHS for severe obesity, mainly in adults between 35 and 54.

The NHS is currently unable to cope with the increased demand for bariatric surgery.

However, an even greater burden to the NHS caused by obesity is type 2 diabetes, which carries long-term risks of heart attack, stroke, blindness, limb amputation and kidney failure. 

The total number of obesity-related admissions rose from 29,237 in 2002/3 to 292,404 in 2012/13, mainly because of the increase in numbers with type 2 diabetes.

Obesity also increases the risk of cancer of the womb, large bowel and liver - as well as increasing the rate of wear and tear on the hip and knee joints.

Unless obesity can be successfully prevented, it will overwhelm the NHS. 

Obesity is a consequence of depositing excess amounts of fat in the body and this only occurs when energy intake from food and drink (measured in calories or kilojoules on food labels) exceeds energy expenditure.

Women need about 2000 calories each day, men about 2500.

The major cause of the current epidemic is an increased calorie intake, although physical activity has also declined.

Foods high in fat and sugar are tasty and often the focus of much of the blame, but in many cases it is just eating too much (large portions) or eating and drinking (sugary drinks and alcohol) too frequently; even good food can make you fat if you eat too much! 

Any diet that reduces energy intake will result in weight loss.

There are no magical combinations of foods that promote weight loss and don't be fooled into thinking that weight can be lost quickly.

Experience shows that women can lose up to 1kg (about 2lbs) in a week, and men about 1.5 kg (3lbs) if they cut their calorie intake to 1200-1400 calories a day.

This can be achieved either by not eating two days a week or by limiting the amount of carbohydrate containing foods (bread, cakes, biscuits, rice, pasta, pastry, potatoes and sugar), and avoiding deep-fried foods.

A little more weight is often lost in the first week on a diet but this is mainly due to loss of body water associated with lower stores of carbohydrate. 

Excess weight lost by dieting is often regained as people revert to their old habits.

Maintaining a healthy weight means sticking to dietary rules for life and this is made much easier if food is eaten at fixed mealtimes and 'snacking on the hoof' is avoided. 

Regular physical activity also helps prevent weight gain: aim to walk 30 minutes each day and engage in some more vigorous activity once or twice a week.

It is sensible to try to shed those extra kilos gained over Christmas by eating and drinking less over the coming months.


10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

British Ebola Nurse 'Stabilised' In Hospital

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 06 Januari 2015 | 10.19

British nurse Pauline Cafferkey, the first person to test positive for Ebola in the UK, remains in a critical condition but has "stabilised".

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt gave the update as Save the Children said it was urgently reviewing its Ebola safety protocols.

Ms Cafferkey was diagnosed with the deadly virus when she returned to Britain after volunteering with the charity in Kerry Town, Sierra Leone.

She is in an isolation tent at the Royal Free Hospital, in North London, and is being treated with an experimental anti-viral drug.

Save the Children is trying to find out whether the 39-year-old contracted the virus while at the Ebola Treatment Centre or in the community, but said it "may never be possible to be 100% sure" how she was infected.

The charity said in a statement: "Save the Children has been conducting a review since Pauline Cafferkey was confirmed as Ebola positive.

"The Serious Event Review (SER) is looking at how the patient might have contracted Ebola by reviewing training, safety protocols, how protective equipment is used, and working practices.

"The findings of the review will be considered by a panel including independent health experts, which will support Save the Children and make recommendations for any actions if necessary."

Ms Cafferkey was part of a 30-strong team of medical volunteers deployed to Sierra Leone by the UK Government in November and had been there for three weeks before returning home for a break.

In a statement to the Commons, Mr Hunt praised Ms Cafferkey and her colleagues for their "exceptional bravery and compassion they showed in joining the battle against Ebola".

He added: "The work done by Pauline and her colleagues is not just helping to save thousands of lives in Africa, it's protecting the UK from potentially disastrous consequences if the disease spreads beyond the countries where it has currently taken hold."

He said he had spoken to the doctor leading Ms Cafferkey's care at the Royal Free Hospital.

"As has been reported, Pauline's condition has deteriorated to a critical state although she stabilised yesterday and continues to receive the best possible care," he said.

Mr Hunt also said the UK has tightened steps for dealing with possible Ebola patients - and that the extra measures have been in place since 29 December.

"We have ... strengthened our guidance to ensure that anyone from a high-risk group who feels unwell will be reassessed, advice will be immediately sought from an infectious diseases specialist and the passenger will be referred for testing if appropriate," he told MPs.

"Even if someone isn't displaying symptoms but says they are feeling a bit under the weather, then we would isolate them if they are in the high-risk category."

Ms Cafferkey, who works at Blantyre Health Centre, in South Lanarkshire, first raised concerns about her condition when she returned to Heathrow Airport last Sunday.

Despite undergoing seven temperature checks she was given the all-clear to fly to Glasgow where she lives.

The following morning she was diagnosed with Ebola and placed in isolation at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow before being flown to London.


10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

UK Facing 'Unmanageable Cancer Crisis'

The number of people living with cancer in the UK is set to hit a record 2.5 million this year - creating a "crisis of unmanageable proportions".

The estimate comes from Macmillan Cancer Support, whose analysis puts the figure up by almost half a million from five years ago.

It includes people who have received the all-clear from doctors.

Macmillan chief executive Lynda Thomas wants politicians to commit to ensuring survival rates that match Europe's best ahead of May's General Election.

"While it is great news that more people are surviving cancer or living longer with it, progress is a double-edged sword," Ms Thomas said.

"As numbers surge, the NHS will soon be unable to cope with the huge increase in demand for health services and the support that organisations like Macmillan provide will become even more urgent and important.

"But we cannot do it alone. As we are threatened by a cancer crisis of unmanageable proportions, all political parties must step up and make a real commitment to supporting people with cancer."

The rising number of people living with cancer is largely due to better detection, as well as a growing and ageing population.

However, there has also been an increase in cancers linked to lifestyle such as kidney, liver and skin.

The number of people living with cancer will reach four million by 2030, according to the charity's estimate.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "It is hugely welcome news that over the last five years 500,000 more people are able to live with cancer - part of the fact that cancer survival rates are increasing from relatively poor performance by European standards to their highest ever level in England.

"The NHS is rising to the challenge this presents and is seeing 51% more patients with suspected cancer than 2010, offering cutting-edge drugs through the Cancer Drugs Fund, focusing on high-quality compassionate care as never before, and working to introduce a personalised recovery care package for every patient."


10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Charged With Waterloo Bus Stop Murder

Written By Unknown on Senin, 05 Januari 2015 | 10.19

A man has been charged with the murder of a 43-year-old at a bus stop outside London's Waterloo train station.

Mark Dwayne Patten, 30, from Thornton Heath in south London, is due to appear at Camberwell Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The victim, believed to be Menelaos Aligizakis, was attacked near the station at around 2.45am on Saturday.

He suffered serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Diane Tudway said: "This is a very busy part of London frequented by both commuters and those on a night out.

"My team is keen to hear from anyone who was in the area or passing by at the time of this incident and may have witnessed what occurred or seen something that could assist the investigation.

"I would urge all witnesses and anyone with information to contact the incident room on 0208 721 4005 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Waterloo is Britain's busiest rail station. There were 98.4 million entries and exits by passengers in 2013-14.


10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boy Fights For Life After Parents Die In Crash

A six-year-old boy is fighting for his life after his parents were killed in a plane crash.

The boy was pulled alive from the wreckage of the light aircraft after it came down in woodland near an airfield in Hampshire.

Lewis and Sally Tonkinson, of Alcester, Warwickshire, both died after the crash but their son is being treated for life-threatening injuries in Southampton General Hospital.

Mr Tonkinson was the founder of Pinnacle Marketing and had celebrated his 50th birthday on New Year's Day.

The aircraft in which the family was travelling crashed in woodland next to Popham Airfield, in Hampshire, on Saturday afternoon shortly after taking off from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.

Air investigators are attempting to establish what caused the plane to crash and they have appealed to anyone who saw the aircraft beforehand to contact them.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "Police remain at the scene whilst the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) carries out an assessment."

Anyone with information should call the AAIB on 01252 510300.


10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More
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