Liverpool Remembers Hillsborough Disaster

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

The city of Liverpool fell silent today - exactly 25 years to the second when the FA Cup semi-final match was abandoned at Hillsborough stadium

Church and town hall bells throughout Merseyside tolled 96 times at 3.06pm to mark the moment. 

Public transport in Liverpool was be halted at the same time and barriers at the Mersey tunnels were lowered.

A large screen at the city's Lime Street station displayed photographs of the 96 victims of the disaster.

At Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium, more than 30,000 people gathered for an emotionally charged service to mark the 25th anniversary.

Players and managers from the past and present joined families of the victims for the ceremony.  Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and Everton's Roberto Martinez gave readings.

Former Sports Secretary Andy Burnham was booed at a similar event five years ago. Today he was cheered and applauded when he told the gathering: "Five years ago things changed. Things changed, not because of me, but because of you.

"They changed because you made your voices heard. That day, your voices were carried off this Kop and into every living room in the land and from there into the heart of the establishment. I knew you were right and they were wrong."

Long-campaigning leaders of the Hillsborough Families' Support Group, Trevor Hicks and Margaret Aspinall, also spoke at the service.

Scarves are tied to the gates of Anfield ahead of the Hillsborough memorial

Margaret Aspinall said: "For 25 years we've been fighting to get to the truth. You all know what we've been fighting for, so I do not need to say what it's for."

Tears flowed throughout the stadium as a gospel choir led the Anfield anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone. Liverpool writer Jimmy McGovern released 96 balloons in the stadium as the song got underway.

Scarves from all English football league clubs were laid out on the pitch to form the figure 96, reflecting the number of people who died as a result of crushing at Hillsborough stadium on the April 28, 1989.

The service was also screened at Everton's Goodison Park stadium, where chairman Bill Kenwright joined fans and the first team squad to offer support to their neighbouring club.

Mr Kenwright said: "Our city is home to almost half a million people known around the world for their compassion, humour and love of the great game.

"We are brought together by two much admired, world famous football clubs who have stood shoulder to shoulder since the unimaginable tragedy at Hillsborough."

A specially commissioned sculpture by Liverpool artist Julian J Taylor stood at one end of the Anfield pitch. The simple silver band bears the names of the 96 victims and is said to represent the bond between families, survivors and friends.

The service comes as inquests into the deaths continue in Warrington.

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

School Places: Parents Warned About 'Crisis'

Families are facing a "growing crisis" when it comes to getting their children into primary schools, the head of a teaching union has said.

The warning comes as figures indicate tens of thousands of youngsters have missed out on their first choice of school.

One school in Bristol was so oversubscribed it had 4,000 applicants competing for just 40 places.

Council across England have been warned they must increase school capacity by 20% by 2016 if they are to cope with the increasing number of children.

Dr Mary Bousted, of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, accused the Education Secretary Michael Gove of failing to deliver on his main responsibility "to provide school places for the nation's children".

For the first time parents across the country learned whether their children had secured places at the school of their choice on the same day.

Dr Mary Bousted says the Government is failing children

The picture emerging on National Offer Day showed significant disparities across the country, with an expected one in five children missing out on their first choice in areas such as Bristol and London.

According to the Local Government Association, some areas - Costessey in Norfolk, Purfleet in Essex and central Croydon in south London - will see 75% more pupils than school places by next year.

The increasing squeeze on school places has been blamed on a rising birth rate and the impact of immigration.

Dr Mary Bousted said: "We know there is a growing crisis in primary school places and we know the Government, for all the money they say they are throwing at the problem, simply haven't got the mechanism (or) the ability to plan school provision where it's needed.

"They have divested themselves of the levers to manage this situation."

She added: "It's no surprise there's a crisis in primary school places, because Michael Gove has divested himself of his first key responsibility, which is to provide school places for children."

The Department for Education said it has given councils more than £5bn to establish new school places, with more than 260,000 created already.

But Lydia Gibbs, primary teaching and curriculum lead for the Reach Academy in Feltham, west London, said: "There is a shortage of primary school places throughout the country.

"There is a sense of competition that parents would love to have their children come to our school. I know that because we were oversubscribed for reception places."

Last year the school had 160 applications for just 60 primary school places.

Bristol Cathedral School received 100 applications for each of its 40 places.

Lou Birbeck, whose twin girls failed to win spaces there, said it was hardly surprising her application had been unsuccessful, given the level of competition.

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

UK Worst Country For 'In Your Face' Sexism

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

Britain's "boys' club" culture, with wolf-whistling and Page 3, makes sexism more prevalent than in other countries, a senior UN official has warned.

Rashida Manjoo, the special rapporteur on violence against women, also argued spending cuts were having a "disproportionate impact" on women.

Speaking at the end of a 16-day visit to the UK, she said: "Have I seen this level of sexist culture in other countries? It hasn't been so 'in your face' in other countries.

"I haven't seen that so pervasively in other countries. I'm sure it exists, but it wasn't so much and so pervasive."

She said she was unsure what it was about Britain that gave rise to more visible "sexist portrayals of women" than elsewhere.

Rashida Manjoo claims sexism is more 'in your face' in Britain

"What is clear is that there is a boys' club sexist culture that exists and it does lead to perceptions about women and girls," she added.

Ms Manjoo also talked about "the easy availability of porn" and said social media could influence children.

The South African law professor was responding to a question about a Facebook group called "Women Who Eat On Tubes", which displays photographs of women eating while travelling. 

"When you're sitting on public transport and it's OK to harass someone, to inappropriately touch them, it's sexist culture," she said.

"If I was walking down the street and there were whistles, which wouldn't happen at this stage in my life, that's sexist culture."

The UN official was visiting the UK in order to study its approach to violence against women. 

"Access to trauma services, financial support and housing are crucial, yet current reforms to the funding and benefits system continue to adversely impact women's ability to address safety and other relevant issues," she said, arguing the cuts had a specific impact but also a more general one on poverty and unemployment.

She said she had wanted to visit Yarl's Wood immigration centre in Bedfordshire where there have been claims of abuse against women but claimed she was blocked, believing the order came from the Home Office.

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hairdresser's Kim Jong-Un Poster Angers N Korea

Two men claiming to be North Korean officials have confronted a London hairdresser who filled his salon window with a poster of Kim Jong-Un, alongside the words: "Bad Hair Day?"

Police told Sky News they had also received a complaint from the North Korean embassy about the advertisement displayed at M&M Hair Academy in South Ealing, west London.

The salon is not being investigated over the poster, which showed the smiling dictator and his distinctive hairstyle and offered a month-long discount on gents' cuts.

However, the eye-catching display has now been removed because of "overwhelming" interest from passers-by and because it "covered up the window", blocking out light.

Hairdresser Karim Nabbach told Sky News his father Mo, who runs the salon, was confronted by the men, neither of whom showed official identification or sported hairstyles identical to the North Korean leader's.

"They didn't introduce themselves and demanded to speak to the manager," he said.

"They told him, 'We want your name'."

The North Korean leader sporting his distinctive hairstyle

Mr Nabbach said staff at the salon did not realise the North Korean embassy - which is run from an unassuming property in nearby Gunnersbury Avenue - is just 10 minutes' walk from their shop.

He said his father went to Ealing police station in case the visit led to any repercussions, but "nothing happened".

"It's been pretty hectic since we put up the poster," he said.

"It's become something of a tourist attraction - people have been coming down to the salon to take pictures.

"It was never meant to cause controversy ... it was just something to entertain our customers."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said officers had "spoken to all parties involved" but added: "No offence has been disclosed."

Mr Kim's hairdo made the news last month after it was claimed all male university students in North Korea would be required to have identical haircuts.

It is thought they were previously able to choose from an official list of styles approved by Pyongyang.

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Army Failings Blamed Over Camp Bastion Attack

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

British commanders must take some blame for inadequate security at Camp Bastion when it was attacked in 2012, a parliamentary report has concluded.

Fifteen Taliban insurgents broke through the perimeter fence on September 14, 2012, killing two US Marines in a battle lasting into the following day.

Eight British and eight American military personnel and one civilian were injured. Six US Harrier jets were destroyed.

Fourteen of the insurgents were killed and the remaining one wounded, captured and interrogated.

That night one of the guard towers, Tower 16, was left unmanned, allowing the attackers to approach the base unseen.

All towers are now manned constantly by a team of guards working on rotation.

The Defence Select Committee report also noted concern that poppies were being cultivated immediately outside the fence, allowing Afghans to approach the walls easily and at will.

Camp Bastion is the HQ of the British military operation in Afghanistan

This could have allowed potential attackers to get a good sense of the base, up close, in preparation for an attack.

However, no evidence was found that requests for improved force protection were turned down on cost grounds.

"We are satisfied that as far as possible, the vulnerabilities which led to this extraordinary attack have now been addressed," committee chairman James Arbuthnot said.

"But we recommend that the MoD capture the lessons identified as part of its wider efforts to learn lessons for future operations."

A similar report in 2013 found two US commanders accountable for failures to adequately protect the base, but because the attack took place in the British section of Camp Bastion, the committee said British commanders should have had more responsibility.

The Ministry of Defence turned down a request for an interview but commenting on the report's findings, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "The MoD is not complacent and always seeks to capture and learn lessons from current operations.

Watchtowers at the base are now constantly manned

"Commanders in the field have to prioritise resources against potential threats in theatre and at the time a threat to Camp Bastion was considered to be lower than to other ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) assets in Helmand.

"UK commanders have identified and acted upon all lessons following the attack on Camp Bastion in 2012."

The committee criticised the MoD for not revealing information they requested, specifically details of the security situation in Helmand during the years leading up to the attack.

"The Committee were unimpressed by the evidence from the Chief of Joint Operations, who explained that the number of security incidents was unusually high in Helmand Province in 2012.

"The Committee was told the focus of ISAF commanders had been on security incidents elsewhere in Helmand Province and on threats from insider attack.

"Unfortunately the MoD has declined to provide the Committee with comparable details of the level of security incidents recorded in Helmand for previous years as this information was classified.

"This would have allowed the Committee to make an informed assessment of the relative threat levels in the area at the time."

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ed Balls Facing Police Probe Over Car Prang

Ed Balls is facing a police investigation after hitting a car and driving off without reporting it.

The shadow chancellor was leaving the Labour rooms in Morley during a constituency visit when he damaged the car.

West Yorkshire Police have confirmed officers are making inquiries into a "fail to stop collision".

Mr Balls admitted he caused the damage and has apologised to the owner of the black Peugeot 306.

He said he had turned the car round in a "tight spot" in a private drive beside the Labour rooms and hit another vehicle "parked close by".

In a statement, he said: "The turn took five or seven points and I was aware that at one point the bumpers of the two cars touched.

"I park there all the time in what is a relatively narrow drive.

"But until I was contacted the following Wednesday, I had no awareness at all there had been any damage to the other car."

Mr Balls said he had written to the owner, offering to reimburse them for the damage, and had also contacted his insurance company.

Sergeant Adrian Wright, of West Yorkshire Police, said the damage to the front wing of the car was reported on April 6, the day after the collision occurred.

It is not the first time Mr Balls' driving has come to the attention of the police.

Last year he admitted he was caught "bang to rights" speeding at 56mph in a 50mph zone on the M62 in his constituency.

In 2010 he was fined £60 and given three points on his licence after being caught using a mobile phone while driving on a dual carriageway in Milton Keynes.

At the time, he said: "It was a fair cop."

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Official: Average Earnings Outpace Inflation

Average UK earnings increased by 1.7% in the year to February, above the inflation rate of 1.6%, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said it was the first time since spring 2010 that the consumer price index for inflation had not exceeded pay increases.

It said pay increases averaged 2% in the private sector and 0.9% in the public sector.

It added the number of people out of work in the UK fell by 77,000 between December and February.

The unemployment rate of 6.9% is the lowest for five years.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Throughout the economic crisis, and now in the recovery, our labour market has shown itself to be resilient and flexible.

"These latest employment figures show that conditions are continuing to improve rapidly."

The improving statistics have eroded Labour's stance on the economic policies at the heart of the coalition Government.

Sky News Economics Editor Ed Conway said: "There are likely to be quibbles with the data and the timing, and many of them are perfectly legitimate.

"What's less in doubt is that wages and inflation are converging meaningfully for the first time since 2010.

"That implies the squeeze on incomes is in the process of coming to an end."

He added: "By the same token, families have had to withstand a whole five-year period of falling real wages, so in real terms they remain significantly less well-off than they were before the crisis.

"That damage will take some years to mend."

The ONS said the total jobless in the period stood at 2.24 million, with a record 30.3 million people in work.

A total of 691,000 people have gained employment in the last year, taking the rate to 72.6%.

It added the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance last month fell by 30,400 to 1.14 million.

Meanwhile, the number of people in Britain defined as economically inactive, including those caring for relatives or withdrawn from the job market, fell by 86,000 in the latest quarter to 8.8 million.

Those out of work for more than 12 months was also cut by 32,000, down to 807,000.

The jobless figure for 16 to 24-year-olds has also continued to fall, down by 38,000 to 881,000 - the lowest for five years.

The ONS said 1.42 million people are working part-time on the basis of not being able to find full-time employment.

It was a drop of 17,000 over the three months, although still 10,000 higher than the same time last year.

Esther McVey, the minister for employment, told Sky News: "More young people are in work, more women are in work, wages are going up and more and more businesses are hiring.

"It's a credit to them that Britain is working again."

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Coulson Tells Trial He Heard Hacked Voicemail

Former News Of The World editor Andy Coulson has told a jury he heard voicemail messages hacked from David Blunkett's phone.

The 46-year-old told the Old Bailey the paper's then-chief reporter, Neville Thurlbeck, phoned him to say Mr Blunkett, who was Home Secretary at the time, was having an affair with a married woman.

He said Mr Thurlbeck had told him he "believed the story was true" after listening to voicemail messages.

Coulson, 46, who denies the charges against him, said he was on holiday in Italy when he took the call.

His initial reaction was one of "shock and anger" at a "direct breach of privacy", he said.

During his third day in the witness box, Coulson told the court: "I was on my way to the airport to collect my brother who was coming to stay with us. I was lost, I remember that, and I parked up on the side of the road to take the call.

"Neville told me he had a tip that David Blunkett was having an affair with Kimberly Fortier. He said he believed the story was true because he heard some voicemails.

"I was shocked because he told me he had heard some voicemail messages. I was shocked he was telling me this as well because it was in relation to David Blunkett, the Home Secretary.

"I was quite angry about it. I used reasonably colourful language, words to the effect: 'What on Earth do you think you're doing?'

"My concern was it was an apparent breach of privacy and I was concerned also that this was involving somebody who I knew. He was somebody we were broadly supportive of."

Coulson, who later became Downing Street's director of communications, told the court he ordered the reporter to stop the investigation.

However, he said that on his return, his former colleague went to the News Of The World (NOTW) offices to repitch the Blunkett story, saying it was in the public interest and playing the messages to try to convince him of that point.

The revelations were made as the journalist's barrister, Timothy Langdale QC, asked him about the NOTW's relationship with Mr Blunkett which, Coulson said, was good.

Coulson said the more he listened, the more he started to think there was "some public interest justification" in the story but he wanted time to think about it.

He told the court he later decided it was in the public interest because Mr Blunkett was "distracted" by the affair and, Coulson argued, sharing sensitive information.

Coulson insisted he had no previous knowledge of voicemail hacking, adding: "I remained shocked. This was the first and only time a voicemail had been played to me."

Coulson, of Charing, Kent, denies conspiring to hack phones with Rebekah Brooks and former managing editor Stuart Kuttner.

He also denies conspiring with ex-royal editor Clive Goodman to commit misconduct in a public office.

All seven defendants in the phone hacking trial deny the charges against them and the case continues.

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drug Charges For Former Co-op Boss Flowers

Former Co-op Bank boss Paul Flowers has been charged with two counts of possession of a class A drug and one of a class C drug.

The former Methodist minister was arrested in Liverpool by West Yorkshire Police officers last year.

A police spokesman said: "Paul Flowers, 63, of Hollingwood Drive, Bradford, has been charged with two offences of possession of a class A drug and one offence of possession of a class C drug.

"He has been bailed to appear before Leeds magistrates on May 7."

Mr Flowers stepped down as chairman of the Co-op bank in June last year.

Clare Stevens, from the CPS' Yorkshire and Humberside Complex Casework Unit, said: "We have carefully considered a file of evidence gathered by West Yorkshire Police in relation to alleged criminal offences committed by Paul Flowers in Bradford in November 2013.

"Following a review of the evidence, I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Paul Flowers with possession of class A and class C drugs relating to an incident on November 9 2013."

Paul Flowers will appear at Leeds Magistrates' Court on May 7.

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tesco Full-Year Profit Slumps 6% To £3.3bn

Tesco has reported a 6% fall in full-year group trading profit of £3.3bn.

Stripping out exceptional items incurred in the last year, pre-tax profit was down 6.9% to £3.1bn.

The UK's biggest supermarket chain also announced like-for-like sales, excluding fuel and VAT, fell 3% in the three months to the end of February 2014.

The results do not include figures for Tesco Bank, which reports separately.

Shares in the company were up more than 3% in early trades on Wednesday.

Tesco's market share hit a 10-year low of 28.6% - its lowest since 2004 - in the 12 weeks to March 30 compared with the same period the year before, according to the latest data from market researcher Kantar Worldpanel.

It remains the third biggest retailer in the world.

The company, led by chief executive Philip Clarke, is 24 months into a turnaround plan for its main UK business that has seen over £1bn invested in store revamps, more staff, new product ranges and pricing initiatives.

Mr Clarke said: "We are transforming Tesco through a relentless focus on providing the most compelling offer for our customers.

"Our results today reflect the challenges we face in a trading environment which is changing more rapidly than ever before."

He added: "We are determined to lead the industry in this period of change."

The sales drop in the last three months was the biggest quarterly drop recorded during Mr Clarke's three-year tenure.

The company said it would put customers "at the heart" of what it does in this "new era of retail".

It added the second-half of the year was particularly competitive in the UK sector.

A spokesman for Tesco said: "Our performance in the year was not where we had planned it to be."

Although it cited problems in countries such as South Korea and Thailand, the company is also looking further afield.

It recently announced it would return to the United States with its F&F clothing business.

In November, Tesco completed the sale of its loss-making US supermarkets operation Fresh & Easy to investment firm Yucaipa.

Earlier in the month the supermarket's finance director, Laurie McIlwee, resigned.

Sky News also understands Mr Clarke has decided to appoint a new chief marketing officer in place of Matt Atkinson, who has been in the role for just over a year.

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More