Victory For Man Who Took Cold Caller To Court

A businessman plagued by nuisance phone calls offering compensation for Payment Protection Insurance has secured £220 in an out-of-court settlement.

Richard Herman, 53, was so fed up with the unwanted calls arriving from India, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He warned the company that, in future, he would invoice them £10 for every minute of his time they used.

When the calls continued he began recording them before finally invoicing the company £195 for their use of his "time, telephone and electricity".

Upon receipt of the invoice the marketing firm acting on behalf of UK-based PPI Claimline Ltd, denied making the calls. When Mr Herman revealed he had recorded evidence, they still refused to pay.

But when Mr Herman filed a claim in the small claims court for the unpaid invoice - plus £25 in costs - the company offered to settle the debt out of court and transferred £220 into his bank account.

Mr Herman filed in the small claims court when his invoice was not paid

Mr Herman said: "I kept being called, as we all do, and I thought the only way for them to stop would be for me to speak to them and say, 'For goodness sake, take me off your list!'

"Then it occurred to me to tell them that if they call again I'll charge for my time. When they continued calling I sent them an invoice for 19.5 minutes."

To encourage others to do the same Mr Herman has set up a website with examples of covering letters and invoices to send to nuisance callers.

Even though the validity of Mr Herman's original invoice was not tested in court, he believes anyone who warns cold-calling companies they will be charged if they call, have a right to invoice them.

"I did business studies at 17 and studied 'offer-and-acceptance' so I knew a verbal contract is just as valid as a written one but harder to prove.

"The recorded calls proved I did tell them I would charge for my time if they called again".

Mr Herman, who works in the telephone industry selling call-recording equipment, said his action was a last resort after asking the Information Commissioner and the Telephone Preference Service for help.

In a statment, PPI Claimline said: "We would like to stress that all our supplier relationships are subject to strict contractual provisions requiring full compliance with all relevant regulations, including those which relate to data protection and the telephone preference service.

"We would like to draw a clear line between the two calls to Mr Herman made on behalf of PPI Claimline and any other calls he received, which were nothing to do with PPI Claimline or its suppliers."

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Savile Family: Our Hearts Go Out To Victims

Savile Family Statement In Full

Updated: 11:25am UK, Saturday 27 October 2012

Jimmy Savile's nephew Robert Foster speaks in detail about the family's reaction to the scandal.

"A year ago our uncle, Sir Jimmy Savile, passed away.

It was a shock when it happened as I had only seen him the week before and although seeming under the weather, I had no concerns over his wellbeing. A week later he was dead and my cousin and I were left with the task of organising his funeral.

We were proud of him. Proud of his achievements and the help he had been able to give to others.

We knew nothing of the firestorm of allegations to come. We set out to organise the funeral knowing that he was well respected by many, many thousands of people.

We knew that the funeral was going to grow because so many people wanted to be a part of the celebration of his life.

We felt so honoured that so many wanted to remember him and mark his passing.

As time passed, the grieving process enabled us to come to terms with his death. By the time summer arrived we were getting ready for the auction of his possessions so that, as he requested in his will, the money could go to his charities. It was a great success.

We became aware of the programme that was being made with allegations of a darker side to him that we knew nothing about.

I watched the programme in horror and could not believe that these allegations were about our uncle. This wasn't the man we knew and loved.

Like everyone else we asked the question, Why now? We couldn't find an answer.

The allegations kept coming and were beginning to overwhelm us. Media were chasing us asking for interviews as family members.

The allegations are very serious and we began to have doubts as to our own feeling towards our uncle.

How could the person we thought we knew and loved do such a thing?

Why would a man who raised so much money for charity, who gave so much of his own time and energy for others risk it all doing indecent criminal acts? How could anyone live their life doing the 'most good and most evil' at the same time?

We became more aware of the outrage that many members of the public were feeling.

We began to think that his headstone, which we had only unveiled a couple of weeks earlier could become a target for people wishing to show there emotions. The dignity of the cemetery, the people who are buried there and the relatives who tend the graves had to be respected. We took the decision to remove and destroy the headstone so that it couldn't become a focus for malicious people.

The decision was a difficult one to make but we knew it was the right one.

A vilification of his name, his achievements and everything he stood for followed. People are moving as quickly as possible to disassociate themselves from him.

His charities, which he was so proud of, debated the prospect of removing his name from their title.

The trustees have since decided that this wasn't enough and that the charities will have to be wound up and the monies given to other charities working in a similar field.

Records of all his efforts and the good work he had done, have been, or are in the process of being removed.

We recognise that even our own despair and sadness does not compare to that felt by the victims.

Our thoughts and our prayers are with those who have suffered from every kind of abuse over so many years and we offer our deepest sympathy in what must have been a terrible time for all of them.

We can understand their reluctance to say anything earlier and can appreciate the courage it has taken to speak out now.

Our hearts go out to them and we offer them our sympathy and understanding in their anguish.

Where will it all end? Who knows? The repercussions of this scandal are enormous. We, as his closest family, have to endure further revelations on a daily basis. 
Our feelings are in turmoil as we await the next turn of events."

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Savile: Celebs 'Frightened By Police Probe'

Major stars from the 60s and 70s are terrified of being named in connection with the Jimmy Savile child abuse scandal, according to PR guru Max Clifford.

Mr Clifford told Sky News that up to 15 celebrities in Britain and beyond had been in touch with him in recent days to express their fears.

The stars are concerned because of their hedonistic lifestyles when they were at the peak of their fame, when young girls would throw themselves at them, he said.

His comments came as the Savile family released a lengthy statement expressing their horror at the revelations.

Mr Clifford told Sky: "In the last few days, I have had an awful lot of calls and expect to get a lot more - some from very famous people who in the 60s and 70s were in the middle of this music explosion in this country.

"I'm very close friends with a lot of these people and have been for 40 to 50 years. I am in the middle of the media world so I'm the first person they turn to.

"Their lives often depend on popularity and public perception. There are a lot of things that get put out there that have nothing to do with reality but can be very damaging.

"They are all saying that they were totally unaware and they themselves have never done anything remotely like Jimmy Savile. Naturally they are concerned because names are being mentioned - 95% of it is total nonsense but it is happening."

He added: "If you're 19 or 20 and suddenly you become a pop star and a dozen girls burst into your dressing room... you don't actually sit there and ask for birth certificates."

Mr Clifford said Freddie Starr was one of those who had been in touch and had called him several times.

"Freddie said to me 'look Max, I've done nothing. There's nothing I ever did but I'm worried to death, I've got a bad heart. I'm in a real state'."

He added: "There's a lot of people that are very very worried about what is going on."

Scotland Yard has said their investigation into accusations of abuse by Savile, who died in 2011, now involves around 300 potential victims.

Police have described him as a sexual predator who could have been one of the most prolific paedophiles Britain has ever seen.

The scandal erupted after an ITV documentary at the start of this month broadcast allegations by a string of women who said the Jim'll Fix It star had assaulted them.

It has since emerged that seven alleged victims contacted four separate police forces - Surrey, London, Sussex and Jersey - while he was alive but no further action was taken.

A retired police officer has also told Scotland Yard that he investigated Savile in the 1980s while based in west London but did not have enough evidence to proceed.

Commander Peter Spindler said he believed the allegation was of an indecent assault, possibly in a caravan on BBC premises in west London, but officers have still not found the original file.

Another allegation, of inappropriate touching dating back to the 1970s, was made by a woman in 2003, but this was treated as "intelligence" by police because the victim did not want to take action.

Surrey Police submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service containing references to four potential offences, including an allegation of indecent assault on a young girl at a children's home.

The allegations related to three potential victims in Surrey and another in Sussex, and Savile was interviewed under caution in 2009, but prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

The seventh allegation emerged in 2008 when Jersey police received a claim that an indecent assault occurred at children's home Haut de la Garenne in the 1970s.

Again it was decided that there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

Mr Spindler said Savile was "undoubtedly" one of the most prolific sex offenders he had come across and that Operation Yewtree, looking into his alleged crimes, would be a "watershed moment" for child abuse investigations.

Claims have also been made that former DJ Savile, who died last year aged 84, targeted children while they were in hospital.

He had a bedroom at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, an office and living quarters at Broadmoor and widespread access to Leeds General Infirmary.

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Anti-Tank Mines Stolen From Freight Train

Anti-terror police are searching for a Ministry of Defence shipment of munitions stolen from a goods train in Warrington.

Sky sources understand they are powerful anti-tank mines.

Ten packages, each containing four separate plastic cases, were taken from the train as it travelled between Cumbria and Oxfordshire.

They were reported missing to British Transport Police at around 7.30am on Thursday when the train arrived at Didcot, Oxfordshire.

Seven of the packages were later discovered near a railway line in the Folley Lane area of Warrington, Cheshire.

The remaining three, which were made up of a total of 12 plastic cases, are still missing.

The munitions were on the train when it left Longtown in Cumbria at 11.30am on Wednesday.

Police understand the munitions were taken off the train while it was temporarily stationary in Warrington, and seven of the packages were discarded nearby.

They are described as being rectangular plastic tubes, approximately 4ft (1.2 metres) in length.

The North West Counter Terrorism Unit (NWCTU) is leading a joint investigation, which includes the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and MoD.

Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney, from NWCTU, said: "A number of enquiries are now being made by police officers into this theft, and our main priority is to safely recover the missing items.

"At this stage there is nothing to suggest the theft is terrorist-related, but due to the potential complexity of the investigation, our enquiries are being led by counter-terrorism officers.

"We would like to appeal to any members of the public who may know the whereabouts of these items, or any persons involved in the theft of these items to contact the police immediately.

"I want to make it clear that, in their normal condition, these munitions are stable and do not pose a risk to the public.

"However, the materials could be hazardous if they were to be tampered with and we therefore ask that anyone who sees them or knows where they are to call the police as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 1027 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Winterbourne View Abuse: Ex-Carers Jailed

Care Home Abusers Sentenced

Updated: 12:14pm UK, Friday 26 October 2012

The former staff admitted 38 charges of either neglect or ill-treatment of people with severe learning difficulties. They are:

:: Wayne Rogers, 32, of Purton Close, Bristol, pleaded guilty to nine charges of ill-treating Ms Deville, Mr Tovey and Miss Blake. He denied a charge of ill-treating Miss Bisset, which was accepted by the prosecution and he did not face trial. He was jailed for two years.

:: Alison Dove, 25, of Chipperfield Drive, Bristol, pleaded guilty to seven charges of ill-treating Miss Guilford, Miss Bisset and Miss Blake. She pleaded not guilty to ill-treating Mr Tovey, which was accepted by the prosecution and she did not face trial. She was jailed for 20 months.

:: Graham Doyle, 26, of Brackendene, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, pleaded guilty to seven charges of ill-treating Miss Blake. He denied charges of wilfully neglecting Miss Guilford and ill-treating Mr Tovey. The prosecution accepted the pleas and he did not face trial. He was also jailed for 20 months.

:: Jason Gardiner, 43, of Mellent Avenue, Bristol, admitted two charges of ill-treating Ms Deville and Mr Tovey. His four-month jail term was suspended for two years. Gardiner was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Michael Ezenagu, 29, of Malabar Court, India Way, Shepherds Bush, west London, pleaded guilty to two counts of ill-treating Miss Blake. He denied two further of ill-treating the same patient and a third similar charge against Mr Tovey. The prosecution accepted the pleas and he did not face trial. His six-month jail term was suspended for two years. Ezenagu was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Danny Brake, 27, of Beechen Drive, Fishponds, Bristol, also pleaded guilty to two charges of ill-treating Miss Blake and Mr Tovey. His four-month jail term was suspended for two years. Brake was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Charlotte Cotterell, 22, of Melrose Avenue, Yate, Bristol, pleaded guilty to one charge of ill-treating Miss Blake. She denied a second charge against the same victim, which was accepted by the prosecution and she did not face trial. Her four-month jail term was suspended for two years. Cotterell was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and complete 12 months supervision.

:: Holly Draper, 24, of The Old Orchard, Mangotsfield, Bristol, pleaded guilty to two charges of ill-treating Miss Blake. She was jailed for 12 months.

:: Neil Ferguson, 28, of Emersons Green, Bristol, pleaded guilty to one count of ill-treating Miss Blake. He denied a second charge of ill-treating the same patient, which the prosecution accepted and he did not face trial. His six-month jail term was suspended for two years. Ferguson was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Sookalingum Appoo, 59, of Dial Lane, Bristol, admitted three charges of wilfully neglecting Miss Blake. He was jailed for six months.

:: Kelvin Fore, 33, of Ellesmere Walk, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to one charge of wilfully neglecting Miss Blake but denied a second allegation against the same person, which was accepted by the prosecution and he did not face trial. He was also jailed for six months.

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No Winner For Tour De France Races

The Tour de France races which took place between 1999 and 2005 will have no official winner, cycling's governing body has said.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) decided not to reallocate the seven yellow jerseys won by Lance Armstrong, after the American was stripped of his titles in the wake of a doping scandal.

It also ordered Armstrong to pay back prize money dating back to August 1, 1998.

The UCI justified its decision in a statement, saying that "a cloud of suspicion would remain hanging over this dark period".

"While this might appear harsh for those who rode clean, they would understand there was little honour to be gained in reallocating places," it said.

More follows...

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Syria: 'Dozens' Dead Or Wounded In Blast

Five people have been killed and thirty-two wounded in a car bomb attack in southern Damascus, according to state television.

The blast comes on the first day of a ceasefire brokered by UN and Arab League peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi.

The regime and the main rebel force, the Free Syrian Army, had both agreed to temporarily lay down their arms.

"The explosion of a booby-trapped car outside the Omar bin Khattab mosque in the Daf Shawk district killed and wounded dozens of people," the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The attack comes hours after three people were reported to have been killed by tank and sniper fire in Syria's capital the Damascus suburb of Harasta, which was apparently targeted in a violation of the temporary truce agreed to mark the four-day Muslim holiday of Eid Al Adha.

President Assad pictured at a prayer service on Friday

The Syrian army said it had been responding to attacks by armed rebels that were in violation of the ceasefire.

"Armed terrorist groups attacked military positions, thereby clearly violating the halt to military operations agreed by the army command.

"Our valiant armed forces are responding to these violations and pursuing these groups," the military said in a statement, adding that rebel attacks had taken place against its positions in Deir Ezzor, Daraa, Idlib and in the Damascus region.

The Syrian army had said it would cease military operations from Friday to Monday for the Eid al-Adha holiday, but warned it would react if "armed terrorist groups" carry out attacks or reinforce their positions, or if fighters cross into the country.

Rebels in a northern town close to the Turkish border also reported one of their fighters was shot dead by a sniper, and a Reuters journalist in the town heard what sounded like four rounds of tank fire.

In a statement read on state television after the deal, the Syrian army said it would still respond to gunfire or roadside bombs and keep rebels from bolstering their positions or getting supplies.

A Free Syrian Army commander also said rebels would retaliate if they were attacked.

On Friday morning, Syrian state television showed President Bashar al Assad attending morning prayers for the start of Eid at a mosque in Damascus.

He was pictured smiling and looking relaxed as he spoke to other worshippers, in his first television appearance for more than a month.

During prayers, Imam Walid Abdel Haq called on Syrians to "stop quarrelling because you are all brothers".

"Do you not see what has been happening for two years in the country, the destruction and death? Stop this," he said.

Protests were reported to have taken place in Raqa in the north east, where security forces fired tear gas, and in the southern Deraa province, where three people were injured as police fired live rounds to disperse demonstrators.

Activists said protests also took place in Damascus and Aleppo.

In the Idlib village of Al-Habit protesters chanted against Mr Assad, saying: "Traitor, give up, you have destroyed Syria."

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Berlusconi Sentenced To Four Years In Jail

Berlusconi's Memorable Quotes

Updated: 3:46pm UK, Friday 26 October 2012

Some see Silvio Berlusconi as a man with a great sense of humour - others say he has illusions of grandeur. Here are some of his most memorable quotes from recent years...

:: He once compared himself to Jesus Christ. "I am the Jesus Christ of politics," he apparently told supporters in Rome. Why? Because "I am a patient victim, I put up with everyone, I sacrifice myself for everyone".

:: Berlusconi is on record as saying only Napoleon has surpassed him as a leader. He said of the French emperor: "Only Napoleon did more," he said. But there was one difference... "I am definitely taller," he quipped.

:: In 2005 the then-66-year-old told The Spectator magazine: "Mussolini never killed anyone. Mussolini sent people on holiday in (internal) confinement." When asked if he thought the WWII dictator was "benign" Berlusconi said: "Yes."

:: While standing for re-election a few years ago, he promised to give up sex for a while. "Thank you dear Father Massimiliano," he told a TV preacher who praised him for defending family values. "I'll try not to let you down and I promise you two-and-a-half months of complete sexual abstinence."

:: His sexual innuendoes have often got him into hot water... "Rasmussen is not only a great colleague, he's also the best-looking prime minister in Europe," Berlusconi said of his Danish counterpart, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in 2002. "He's so good looking, I'm even thinking of introducing him to my wife," he added, referring to press speculation that his wife was having an affair.

:: During an appearance at his corruption trial in Milan in June 2003, he said: "One citizen is equal to another (in the eyes of the law) but perhaps this one is slightly more equal than the others, given that 50% of Italians have given him the responsibility of governing the country."

:: In December 2002 the media tycoon encouraged laid-off Fiat workers to find employment on the black market, saying: "The most keen can certainly find a second job, maybe unofficial."

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Police Reveal Scale Of Savile's Alleged Abuse

Police have described Jimmy Savile as one of the most prolific sex attackers ever and are dealing with around 300 alleged victims.

Commander Peter Spindler said officers are following more than 400 lines of inquiry linked to the victims, of whom all except two are women.

He said that the weight of evidence against the late DJ was overwhelming and added: "We have to believe what they are saying because they are all saying the same thing independently."

The officer said Savile was "undoubtedly" one of the most prolific sex offenders of recent history.

The team working on the investigation into the allegations has now been trebled to include 30 officers.

Investigators have so far spoken to 130 people who have come forward, and 114 allegations of sexual assault have emerged - the vast majority against Savile.

BBC director general George Entwistle has apologised for Savile's abuse

Officers are using a "triage" approach, first making contact with victims by phone to get initial details of their allegations, Cmdr Spindler said.

He told a news conference that most of the allegations are linked to Savile, but some involve others who may have acted with him.

The inquiry will be a "watershed" moment in the investigation of child abuse, he added.

Sky Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said that police have not found any evidence that a paedophile ring was in operation at any institution associated with Savile.

Cmdr Spindler also revealed that a retired police officer had been in touch to say he had investigated Savile in the 1980s while based in west London but he had not had the evidence to proceed.

It is believed the allegation was of an indecent assault on BBC premises but officers have still not found the original file.

BBC star Esther Rantzen voiced her concerns about Savile

According to Cmdr Spindler, Savile had been protected during his reign of abuse because "children or young people" had not felt "empowered to speak out".

Meanwhile, a solicitor acting on behalf of victims of Savile has launched claims against the late celebrity's estate on behalf of clients.

Alan Collins, a partner and specialist in abuse work at law firm Pannone, said: "Much has been written and said about possible actions against the BBC and it is true that claims may be brought against them and other organisations Savile was involved with.

"However, if he was acting as an individual, it is possible to take action against Sir Jimmy Savile's estate because he was a wealthy man and there will be assets to claim against.

"It is imperative that action is taken promptly in order to advance clients' claims which arise from their allegations of sexual abuse."

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Man Held Over Olympic Bronze Medal 'Theft'

A man has been arrested by police investigating the alleged theft of two Olympic bronze medals from a Mayfair nightclub.

Medals belonging to rower Alex Partridge and hockey team member Hannah Macleod were apparently stolen hours after attending a Buckingham Palace celebration of their success.

Both athletes - who competed at this year's Olympic games - had left their jackets unattended whilst at the Mahiki nightclub. They later realised the jackets, and the medals inside them, were gone.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the investigation, and is being held at a west London police station.

Earlier, Macleod wrote on Twitter that she was "totally devastated" by the loss of her medal.

She added: "I'm not after punishment. If you picked up a Bronze Olympic medal that isn't yours pls just send anonymously back to GB hockey-Bisham Abbey."

Detective Chief Inspector James Harman said: "I would appeal to anyone who was in the venue in the early hours of Wednesday and saw anything suspicious to contact us - any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could prove vital to this investigation.

"My team have spoken to both Olympians who are understandably desperate to be reunited with the medals they have dedicated their careers to win.

"If you know who is responsible or where the medals are, please call us."

Scores of Olympic and Paralympic stars had earlier been invited to the palace to mark their achievements along with the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Duchess of Cambridge, Prime Minister David Cameron and London 2012 chief Lord Coe.

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Syrian Army To Halt Operations During Holidays

The Syrian military has agreed to halt military operations from Friday morning for the Muslim holiday weekend, the army said.

In a statement read on state television, the army added it would still respond to gunfire or roadside bombs and keep rebels from bolstering their positions or getting supplies.

"Military operations will cease on Syrian territory as of Friday morning until Monday the 29th. (The military) reserves the right to respond to continuing attacks on civilians and government forces by armed groups," the statement said.

A Free Syrian Army commander said rebels will honour a ceasefire to mark Eid al-Adha but demanded the release of detainees by Friday.

However, the spokesman of Islamist Ansar al-Islam, Abu Moaz, said his fighters will not commit to the ceasefire brokered by UN-Arab mediator Lakhdar Brahimi.

Mr Brahimi proposed a four-day ceasefire for the Muslim holiday, saying it could lead to a longer truce and political negotiations between the sides.

Rebel forces have dismissed the idea, saying they don't trust the regime of President Bashar Assad to stick to its promises.

Abu Moaz also said the fighters doubt the government will honour the truce.

More follows...

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Microsoft Launches Windows 8 Operating System

Microsoft Faces Fight For Relevance

Updated: 4:20pm UK, Thursday 25 October 2012

By Thomas Moore, Sky News Correspondent

It's Windows, but not as you know it.

Microsoft's radical update to the world's most widely used operating system will either secure its future in a touchscreen era - or it will consign the traditional PC to the recycle bin.

Five years ago, more than 90% of computers ran a version of Windows, according to tech analysts Forrester.

This year - with Apple and Google dominating mobile computing - it is found on just 30% of devices.

PC manufacturers like Dell and HP have seen sales slump as consumers turned to iPads and Android tablets.

So Microsoft is betting big on Windows 8. Its marketing budget is estimated to top £619m ($1bn).

It will have to convince millions of users who are familiar with the old-style screen that they can work with the revolutionary new interface.

The new look has had a mixed reception from people who have used prototype beta versions.

The iconic start button has gone, as have the short cuts. Instead, apps are tiled on a bold metro start screen.

On a tablet, Windows 8 is just as slick as operating systems designed by Apple or Google.

But Microsoft makes much of its money from business users.

And they rely on desktops and laptops, where Windows 8 feels somewhat clunky.

It will need to convince companies that it is worth upgrading their systems and retraining their staff.

Microsoft has just reported a 22% fall in profits over the last quarter. It is by no means a crisis - the company still made a net profit of £2.8bn in just three months.

But computing is changing so rapidly that Microsoft is having to fight to stay relevant.

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Prisoner Votes: PM Defiant Blanket Ban Will Stay

David Cameron has flatly ruled out giving prisoners the vote after Conservative MPs reacted angrily to speculation that the coalition was planning legislation on the controversial issue.

The Prime Minister moved to clarify his position and told the Commons: "No one should be in any doubt. Prisoners are not getting the vote under this government."

However, his comments appeared to contradict those of his Attorney General, who earlier suggested that the UK would have to accept a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and fulfil its international obligations.

Dominic Grieve said the UK could ultimately decide to ignore the European court.

"Parliament is sovereign in this area. Nobody can impose a solution on Parliament," he told the Commons justice committee.

But he warned Britain's reputation would suffer if it ignored the ruling, and he insisted the UK had "a great deal of latitude" in how it complies with the judgment.

Dominic Grieve says the UK will have to accept the ECHR ruling

Ministers are preparing to launch a draft bill to comply with ruling, according to The Guardian.

This is despite Parliament voting overwhelmingly to maintain a blanket ban in February.

Mr Cameron has said the idea of giving prisoners the vote made him "physically ill".

Speaking at the weekly Prime Minister's Questions session, he signalled that he was ready to hold another vote "to put the legal position beyond doubt".

But there are reportedly concerns in the Government that it could face a huge compensation bill if it does not bring forward legislation before the ECHR's deadline of the end of November.

Publishing draft proposals, possibly giving the vote to those serving terms under four years, would give ministers time as there would be a significant period before anything would reach the statute books.

However, any move to grant the vote to any serving prisoners seems set to provoke outrage from many Conservative backbenchers.

Nick de Bois, secretary of the influential 1922 committee, posted on Twitter after the Guardian report was published.

He tweeted: "Sitting working with 5 other Cons MPs - if reports of prisoner voting rights are accurate then that's 6 MPs who won't vote for it."

Tory colleague Douglas Carswell added: "Make it 7."

David Cameron at Wormwood Scrubs this week

Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith wrote: "MPs almost unanimously rejected votes for prisoners. If it happens all the same, does that mean the UK Parl officially no longer matters?

"It's no longer a Q of whether prisoners should vote. It's a Q of whether or not the UK Parliament still has the authority to make decisions."

The ECHR admitted that it was up to national authorities to decide exactly who can vote from jail - but said denying voting rights to all inmates indiscriminately was illegal.

Mr Cameron's official spokesman denied the PM was at loggerheads with Mr Grieve on the issue.

"There is a single Government view on this issue, and that is that prisoners should not get the vote," he said.

"As the Attorney General said earlier, Parliament is sovereign in these matters."

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Hillsborough Police Chief Bettison Quits

Sir Norman Bettison has resigned as Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, after being accused of a cover-up over the Hillsborough disaster.

The 56-year-old had been due to retire next March, but had been called upon to step down with immediate effect by the region's police authority. He will receive no severance pay.

Amid fears his departure could see him avoid further investigation, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) confirmed the probe into his action would continue.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Merseyside Police Authority, where Sir Norman was previously chief constable, said it would be considering what implications his decision would have for his £83,000 pension.

His resignation was welcomed by relatives of the 96 Liverpool fans who were crushed to death in the 1989 tragedy at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough ground.

The post on the Hillsborough Family Support Group's Twitter page simply said: "Yay! He's resigned!!"

A total of 96 fans were killed in the Hillsborough disaster

In a statement issued by West Yorkshire Police Authority, its vice chairman, Councillor Les Carter, said: "I can confirm that the Police Authority has accepted Sir Norman's resignation with immediate effect.

"The media attention and Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation is proving to be a huge distraction for the force, at a time when it is trying to maintain performance and make savings of £100m.

"We therefore believe that his decision is in the best interest of the communities of West Yorkshire."

The statement also included comments from Sir Norman, who expressed sympathy for those bereaved by the disaster.

"I have never blamed the fans for causing the tragedy," he said.

He also refuted reports of a conversation it was claimed he had in the months after the tragedy.

"The suggestion that I would say to a passing acquaintance that I was deployed as part of a team tasked to 'concoct a false story of what happened', is both incredible and wrong," he said.

A Liverpool fan pays his respect at the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield

"That isn't what I was tasked to do, and I did not say that."

He added that he would assist inquiries into the disaster itself and the subsequent cover-up - and that he had sought to remain in post to address the allegations against him.

Sir Norman was a chief inspector with South Yorkshire Police at the time of the disaster. He attended the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest as a spectator, and was involved in the subsequent force investigation.

He has been under growing pressure since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report which revealed an orchestrated police cover-up.

Last month's damning report by the panel, which had access to 450,000 documents, found that 164 police statements were doctored - 116 of them to remove or alter "unfavourable" comments about the policing of the match and the unfolding disaster.

A complaint was made to police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) that Sir Norman had supplied misleading information in the wake of the disaster. The IPCC is investigating his role.

Pressure was deemed to have increased on South Yorkshire Police after calls for the Hillsborough inquiry to be extended to the so-called 'Battle of Orgreave', which involved clashes between striking miners and police in 1984.

Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, who lost her 18-year-old son James in the disaster, welcomed Sir Norman's resignation and called for his pension to be frozen, pending the outcome of the probe.

"I'm absolutely delighted he's gone but as far as I am concerned he should have been sacked," she said.

Trevor Hicks, HFSG president, said: "We welcome the resignation, because Mr Bettison's position had become untenable and was growing more so with every day that passed. His was a position of trust and he had lost that trust a long time ago."

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Sky Sources: Ford To Close Southampton Plant

Ford is planning to close its Southampton factory as part of its restructuring in Europe, according to Sky sources.

The announcement is expected on Thursday, when Ford's chief executive Alan Mulally is due to hold a business briefing call, and company management meet with union representatives in Essex. 

The company said this was speculation.

Ford's Swaythling factory, which has built its iconic Transit vans since 1972, employs around 500 people.

But the future of the site has been uncertain since workers began working single shifts in 2009.

It is a relatively small part of the company's UK operation, which employs 11,400 people at factories in Dagenham, Halewood, Bridgend and Southampton.

The news comes after the company confirmed it would close its "under-utilised" factory in Genk, Belgium, resulting in 4,300 job losses.

Workers gathered outside the Belgium plant following news of its closure

"Ford announced its plans to end production at a major production plant in Genk, Belgium, by the end of 2014," the company said in a statement, adding that the closure would entail a "reduction of approximately 4,300 positions".

Ford of Europe's chief executive Stephen Odell added: "The proposed restructuring of our European manufacturing operations is a fundamental part of our plan to strengthen Ford's business in Europe."

In another development for Europe's carmaking industry, the French government offered Peugeot Citroen a 7bn euro (£5.6bn) lifeline following another drop in sales.

The Paris-based company said it was also close to agreeing a 11.5bn euro (£9.3bn) refinancing deal with creditor banks, in addition to the state guarantees, for its lending arm Banque PSA Finance.

Following the announcement, Peugeot shares fell 6.5% - hitting their lowest levels since 1986.

Car sales in Europe have slumped as consumers in the region find their budgets hit by unemployment and government austerity.

Earlier this month, industry figures revealed that the market shrank at its fastest pace for 12 months in September. 

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Israel Bombarded And Militants Killed In Gaza

By Sam Kiley, Middle East Correspondent

Israel has been hit with more than 60 missiles in 24 hours in a surge in violence from the Gaza Strip.

Three militants from the armed wing of Hamas, which rules in Gaza, were killed in an Israeli counter-attack.

Hamas has been trying to suppress attacks against Israel by al Qaeda-related Jihadist groups in recent weeks.

Israel moved military personnel and equipment from a joint exercise with US forces and some of its homeland defence soldiers from a drill based on the fiction of an earthquake, in case of further attacks.

Three migrant Thai workers were seriously injured in the mortar and rocket strikes from Gaza and a family home was hit.

A mosque was reported to have been struck by the Israeli Air Force. Eight people were wounded, as well as the three who were killed.

The mother of a Hamas gunman mourns the death of her son

A statement from the Islamist movement Hamas said those killed were members of its military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades.

An Israeli army spokesman said the air force had attacked two groups of Palestinians who were about to fire rockets into southern Israel.

The raids came after the attack on an Israeli patrol that wounded a soldier was claimed by a leftist group, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Military officials were initially unsure what had caused the explosion, but eventually established it was "an explosive device".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again warned he would strike back at Gaza militants, which he said were supported by Tehran.

An Israeli mother carrying her child after an attack

"Today we engaged in exchanges against terrorist aggression that comes from our southern border in Gaza, but it actually comes from Iran and a whole terror network that is supporting these attacks," he said.

"The way to fight terror is to fight terror, and that we shall do with great force."

Defence Minister Ehud Barak noted the explosive device was rigged to a gate on the fence, and said Israel takes the attack "very seriously".

The latest incidents came as the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, made a landmark visit to Gaza where he inaugurated a multi-million dollar project to rebuild the impoverished Palestinian territory.

But Israel's military remains reluctant to get involved in a ground incursion into the region.

Its last major operation there, Cast Lead, was widely condemned internationally for causing civilian deaths and for the use of white phosphorous explosives in urban areas.

Israeli police survey the damage caused by a rocket fired by militants

Former head of Israel's National Security Council Ilan Mizrahi said: "It is a very delicate situation. We do not have a free hand like we did in the past.

"Now we have to consider our relationship with Egypt more carefully. I would expect Cairo will try to pacify the situation and we should be careful not to provoke the Egyptians.

"However, it will be impossible to allow this to continue for a long time."

The attacks follow a visit to Gaza by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who pledged $400m (£250m) for a 3,000-home development in what appeared to be a major boost for the reputation of Hamas, which is struggling to balance its militant elements and instincts with its responsibilities as the administration.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Hamad said: "We are seeing a dangerous escalation of Israeli actions. They are targeting us following the recent visit of the Emir of Qatar which took place successfully.

"They are targeting us to disrupt the atmosphere of the Eid holiday and to score political points ahead of the upcoming [Israeli] elections."

Following the violence, Israel closed schools in the areas close to the Gaza Strip - the first time that has happened since Operation Cast Lead.

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Public 'Duped Into Funding Terror Bomb Plot'

Members of the public were duped into donating thousands of pounds to fund a massive terror attack planned for Britain, a court heard.

Three men on trial for terror-related offences posed as collectors from the Muslim Aid charity and raked in donations through street collections and door-to-door pleas in Birmingham and Leicester last year, a jury at Woolwich Crown Court was told.

Irfan Naseer, 31, Irfan Khalid and Ashik Ali, both 27, allegedly only gave a fraction of the Ramadan collection to the charity, keeping most of it to finance their bomb plot.

Notes found by police suggested they collected £12,100 but the court was told they also lost £9,149.39 by using it to trade in foreign currency over four weeks.

The court previously heard that the men, two of whom are alleged to have received terror training in Pakistan, planned to detonate up to eight rucksack bombs in a suicide attack that would have been bigger than the July 7 bombings in London.

The jury heard that Ali registered two accounts on eBay's online charity website "half in jest" in September 2006 with the user names "terrorshop" and "shopterror", using the email address be--terror@yahoo.co.uk.

One of the accounts was closed down by eBay in October 2006 while the second is active but has never been used, the prosecution said.

Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, said: "However, both reveal his mindset even then, even if the usernames he chose were registered half in jest."

He said the men wore MA t-shirts and tabards to "beguile the public into believing this was legitimate charity collecting, when it wasn't".

"That money was stolen and ... was not intended by the defendants to be used for any other legitimate purpose other than terrorism," he said.

Mr Altman said the collections took place soon after Naseer and Khalid returned from terror training in the Taliban and al Qaeda stronghold of Waziristan in Pakistan at the end of July last year.

The charity had a licence for a single day's collecting, and it received £1,584 from the group at the end of August, the court heard, a fairly typical amount for a day's collection.

In reality, the prosecution claimed, they illegally collected cash over a sustained period, posing as Muslim Aid volunteers without its knowledge.

All the men are accused of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts, which they deny.

Naseer is accused of five counts of the offence, Khalid four and Ali three, all between Christmas Day 2010 and September 19 last year.

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Monster Energy Drink 'Linked To Five Deaths'

The heavily-caffeinated Monster Energy Drink is being investigated by US officials for its reported link to five deaths and one non-fatal heart attack.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into claims that people had adverse reactions after they consumed the 24 oz (680ml) can, which contains 240 milligrams of caffeine.

It has three times more caffeine than an 8.4 oz (240ml) can of its nearest rival, Red Bull, and seven times the amount in a regular 12 oz (340ml) cola.

Although the FDA is investigating the allegations, which date back to 2004, the agency said the reports do not necessarily prove that the drinks caused the deaths or injuries.

"As with any reports of a death or injury the agency receives, we take them very seriously and investigate diligently," spokesperson Shelly Burgess said in a statement.

News of the FDA's investigation follows the launch of a wrongful death lawsuit in California, by the parents of a 14-year-old Maryland girl who died after drinking two Monster Energy Drinks in just 24 hours.

Anais Fournier died in December 2011 after consuming two cans in 24 hours

A post mortem examination found that Anais Fournier died of cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity that impeded her heart's ability to pump blood.

She also suffered from an inherited disorder that can weaken blood vessels. Her parents claim Monster failed to warn about the risks of drinking its products.

"I was shocked to learn the FDA can regulate caffeine in a can of soda, but not these huge energy drinks," her mother Wendy Crossland told The Record Herald.

"With their bright colors and names like Monster, Rockstar, and Full Throttle, these drinks are targeting teenagers with no oversight or accountability."

However labels on the cans do state that the drinks are not recommended for children and people who are sensitive to caffeine.

Monster said last week that it was "unaware of any fatality anywhere that has been caused by its drinks".

The company is the market leader in the US for energy drinks with a 35% share, while Red Bull has 30% and Rockstar has 19%.

But the company's shares plunged $7.59, or 14.2%, to close at $45.73 in trading on Monday after news of the FDA investigation.

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Jimmy Savile: BBC Boss Questioned By MPs

BBC boss George Entwistle has defended the broadcaster's handling of the Sir Jimmy Savile scandal but admitted it has affected trust in the corporation.

The director-general, who was questioned by the Culture, Media and Select Committee for two hours, told MPs he believed a Newsnight investigation into the star should have gone ahead.

And he revealed the corporation is now investigating up to 10 "serious allegations" involving past and present employees over the "Savile period".

Mr Entwistle called the Jim'll Fix It star a "skilful and successful sexual predator who covered his tracks" and said it was impossible to view the claims with "anything other than horror".

He conceded that the alleged abuse would have been impossible had there not been a "broader cultural problem" at the BBC but stressed there was not yet enough evidence to say it was "endemic".

Mr Entwistle said: "There's no question that what Jimmy Savile did and the way the BBC behaved ... the culture and practices of the BBC seems to allow Jimmy Savile to do what he did, will raise questions of trust for us and reputation for us.

"It is a gravely serious matter and one cannot look back at it with anything but horror that his activities went on as long as they did undetected. Of course, that is a matter of grave regret to me."

He added: "I would accept that there have been times when we have taken longer to do things than in a perfect world I would have liked.

"But I think if you looked at what we have achieved since the scale of the crisis became clear, I think you see we have done much of what we should have done and done it in the right order and with proper respect paid to the right authorities."

George Entwistle after his committee appearance

Mr Entwistle's appearance before MPs came hours after the BBC broadcast a Panorama programme looking at why a Newsnight investigation in December 2011 into the allegations was dropped.

He argued that the programme was an illustration of the corporation's health rather than a "symptom of chaos" because it showed it could interrogate its own corporate handling of events.

But he admitted that after watching Panorama himself, he had come to the view that Newsnight's work should have been allowed to continue.

The director-general told MPs there had been a "breakdown in communication" between reporters working on the investigation and their editor Peter Rippon.

The allegations about the presenter and DJ only emerged when ITV broadcast a documentary at the start of this month, which sparked accusations of a BBC cover-up.

It also generated major concerns about why persistent rumours about Savile were never properly looked into when he was alive and about the wider culture at the BBC.

Police have called Savile a sexual predator

Mr Rippon wrote a blog explaining the decision not to proceed with the show, indicating it was down to what they had discovered about the police handling of the Savile investigation.

This was then relied on by management setting out the BBC's position but the corporation was later forced to admit the account was "inaccurate or incomplete".

The editor, who has now stepped aside to focus on the internal inquiry, was strongly criticised by Mr Entwistle for spreading confusion.

"There's no doubt that it is a matter of regret and embarrassment that the version of events recorded in Peter Rippon's blog on October 2 did not turn out to be as accurate as they should have been," he said.

"What I relied upon is something that in my BBC career I've always been able to rely upon, which is the editor of a programme having a full grip and understanding of an investigation they were in charge of.

"In this case that doesn't appear to have been the case, and that is disappointing."

The director-general denied there had been any "managerial pressure" to drop the story and said head of news Helen Boaden had only briefly spoken to the Newsnight team.

She had reminded Mr Rippon that the same journalistic standards had to apply even though Savile was dead but Mr Entwistle insisted this was an appropriate point to make.

Newsnight editor Peter Rippon (Jason Alden/Rex Features)

"The decision was made by Peter Rippon on his own account. What was going on in his mind at the time is something we have got to rely on the Pollard Review to interrogate as best it can," he said.

Mr Entwistle was warned by Ms Boaden at an awards lunch on December 2 that the Newsnight investigation could affect plans to broadcast a tribute to Savile over Christmas.

He insisted it would have been straightforward to reorganise the schedule if necessary but admits giving it little thought at the time because it was clear the story was not ready.

"If someone had said to me 'We are happy with this, this is ready to broadcast', then at that stage I would have expected to engage fully with the consequences," he said.

Pressed on his reaction, he said: "I don't remember reflecting on it. This was a busy lunch. It wasn't that I didn't want to know. What was in my mind was this determination not to show an undue interest."

He added: "I don't believe I did fail, but I believe the system as a whole seems not to have got this right."

Asked whether he now regretted going ahead with Savile tribute programmes, he said: "In the light of what's happening, of course I do."

His appearance piles pressure on Mr Rippon, who will have to explain himself to the BBC's own inquiry which is being led by former head of Sky News Nick Pollard.

MPs have said they will wait for the outcome of the inquiry before deciding whether to summon Mr Rippon.

A separate internal audit of the BBC's child protection policies has also been launched and will report in December.

David Jordan, the BBC's head of editorial policy, insisted the set-up had been "transformed since the 1960s and 1970s" to ensure the safety of children on site.

The corporation is also bringing in Dinah Rose QC to look at how it handles sexual harrassment cases.

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EU Budget Vote Spells Trouble For Cameron

Euro MPs have handed David Cameron a fresh headache by backing a 6.8% increase in European Union spending next year.

British Euro-MPs had joined forces to fight the plans for inflation-busting rises in EU spending over the next eight years.

But they were outnumbered in a vote in Strasbourg which endorsed European Commission demands for more cash.

Most MEPs supported the need for the 6.8% rise next year and an overall increase of at least 5% in the EU's long-term 2014-2020 budget.

These are both due to be agreed before the end of the year but Mr Cameron has threatened to veto any long-term spending plan that exceeds inflation - effectively insisting on a freeze.

The vote sets up a battle within the EU, and Austrian leader of the Socialist MEPs Hannes Swoboda made clear the PM faces an uphill struggle to get his way.

"If Mr Cameron threatens to use his veto, he should be aware that we can do it as well. The European Parliament is much stronger than Mr Cameron," he said.

The warning comes as the Prime Minister is under pressure from within his own party and from the wider public over Britain's relationship with the European Union.

Any prospect of taxpayers having to pay more into EU coffers, while enduring serious austerity at home, will further antagonise eurosceptic opinion.

British MEPs were outnumbered almost five to one in the vote. Leader of the Conservative contingent Richard Ashworth said: "We believe the EU simply must stop spending money its member states do not have.

"It is plain wrong to impose austerity regimes on Greece and Spain at the same time as trying to increase spending and borrowing across Europe as a whole. That amounts to economic illiteracy.

"Fortunately, the last word on this will be at the Council of the EU, where Britain has a right of veto. You can be sure there will be some hard bargaining to come."

Glenis Willmott, leader of the Labour MEPs, said: "In a time of crisis, when public authorities across the EU are cutting vital services, it seems that for Brussels it's still business as usual.

"The priority right now is to cut waste, go for growth and deliver a real-term freeze in the budget."

Liberal Democrat MEP George Lyon said: "It is vital that the EU budget reflects the hard financial times faced by all member states and therefore we want to see a more realistic budget that reflects the realities faced by ordinary people."

As MEPs voted in Strasbourg, Foreign Secretary William Hague used a speech in Berlin to insist that the EU budget had to be "in touch with the real world".

He warned: "People simply do not understand why there should be massive increases in the EU budget when all EU countries are trying to balance the books at home."

In the same address, he warned that British disillusionment with the EU is the "deepest it has ever been" and that people feel they have no control over it.

"People feel that the EU is a one-way process, a great machine that sucks up decision-making from national parliaments to the European level until everything is decided by the EU. That needs to change," he said.

"If we cannot show that decision-making can flow back to national parliaments, then the system will become democratically unsustainable."

Bulgarian MEP Ivailo Kalfin, the Socialist Group negotiator on the budget, insisted increases were the right step.

He said: "The EU budget is different from national budgets. The EU budget is an investment tool to support long-term development and strategic European co-operation.

"In fact, 94% of the EU budget is invested in the member states to create a European added value or in making sure the EU speaks with one voice on the world stage.

"It gives additional instruments to the member states and the regions that are crucial in times of austerity."

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Frankie Boyle Wins £54,650 Libel Case

Frankie Boyle has won £54,650 in damages after a High Court jury concluded that he had been libelled by the Daily Mirror.

Boyle, aged 40, from Glasgow, claimed that the Daily Mirror defamed him by describing him as racist and saying he had been "forced to quit" BBC panel show Mock The Week.

Daily Mirror publisher Mirror Group Newspapers had defended the article, which was published on July 19, 2011, claiming the "racist" description was either true or "honest comment on a matter of public interest".

But Boyle said the newspaper had "misunderstood" his jokes.

He told the High Court that characters he played might express racist views, but he did not, adding that he actively campaigned against racism and parodied racists.

The publisher had also said the words "forced to quit" did not mean that Boyle had been sacked and were not defamatory.

Jurors ruled in favour of Boyle after a week-long trial in London.

The comedian said during the trial that he would give any damages to charity.

Frankie Boyle responded to the court's decision on Twitter

He said he was "very happy" as he left court, and his representative said he would make any further comments on Twitter.

Boyle has upset glamour model Katie Price over comments about her disabled son and also comments about gold medal swimmer Rebecca Adlington in the past.

His counsel David Sherborne admitted that his humour was deliberately challenging, and he would not have minded if his material had been called vile, tasteless or offensive, because that went with the territory, but he did object to being called a racist.

In a series of tweets the comedian wrote that he was "very happy" with the outcome.

"I'm very happy with the jury's decision and their unanimous rejection of the Mirror's allegation that I am a racist," he tweeted.

"Racism is still a very serious problem in society which is why I've made a point of always being anti-racist in my life and work and that's why I brought this action.

"I am giving my damages to charity."

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Johannesburg Prison Van Blast Kills Two

Two prisoners have been killed and 15 hurt after an explosion hit a van carrying convicts in South Africa, reports say.

Radio station Eyewitness News said the blast took place near a prison in southern Johannesburg, and that police were still trying to work out what had triggered it.

Police spokesman Neville Malila said: "Just outside the Johannesburg correction facility the driver heard a loud bang. There was an explosion on the vehicle."

More follows...

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North Sea Rescue As Helicopter Ditches

All 19 people on board a helicopter which ditched in the North Sea have been safely accounted for, say rescuers.

Sky News Scotland Correspondent James Matthews said: "This was a helicopter carrying rig workers..

"It carried out a controlled ditching between Orkney and Shetland, just west of Fair Isle. The pilot came down low and sent out a Mayday before hitting the water."

Three lifeboats were launched, from Kirkwall, Orkney, and Aith and Lerwick in Shetland, the RNLI said.

Three helicopters were also involved in the search, co-ordinated by Shetland Coastguard. Other vessels were on the scene, 14 miles west of Fair Isle.

The helicopter was carrying an oil crew change, the coastguard said. It is not known if there are any casualties.

A statement from CHC Helicopter said: "We can confirm that there has been an incident involving one of our aircraft in the North Sea, approximately 32 miles south-west of Shetland. Exact details of the incident, which happened at approximately 3.30pm are not yet known."

More to follow...

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Italian Scientists Jailed In Quake Trial

By Robert Nisbet, Europe Correspondent

A team of Italian scientists have been found guilty of manslaughter for failing to warn citizens of a massive earthquake in 2009.

The team along with a government official were sentenced to six years in jail in a trial which has infuriated the global scientific community.

Historic buildings cracked and crumbled in the 6.3 magnitude quake in which 309 died and thousands were left homeless in the town of L'Aquila in central Italy.

But the following year there was another aftershock. Charges were brought against six government scientists and an official for not sufficiently warning people of the risks of another seismic event.

The seven accused had been part of the region's Major Risks Committee which had met on March 31, six days before the earthquake.

They issued a statement designed to reassure residents after studying tremors in the area, while stressing it was impossible to say when another event may occur.

In court, prosecutor Fabio Picuti said they had given "an incomplete, inept, unsuitable and criminally mistaken analysis."

Defence lawyers said the charges in L'Aquila were "medieval", arguing that earthquakes cannot be predicted. Some 5,000 scientists from around the world sent a letter of protest to the then Italian president Giorgio Napolitano.

Legal experts say the convicted men are likely to remain free from jail until an appeals process is completed.

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Thirteen Dead In Damascus Car Bomb Blast

At least 13 people have been killed after a car bomb exploded near a police station in the Syrian capital of Damascus.

A state official speaking from the scene said an explosives-rigged taxi blew up 50 metres from the Bab Touma neighbourhood's main police station.

The mainly Christian neighbourhood is a popular attraction for shoppers and inhabited mostly by the Christian minority.

Pro-government television said seven people had been killed and 15 wounded.

Mr Assad has met with UN peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 10 had died and dozens were wounded, adding that it was unclear if the victims and the wounded were civilians or policemen.

A reporter at the scene said he saw blood stains in the street and on the pavements. He said glass windows of several shops in the area were shattered and at least four cars were completely burnt.

The blast came as President Bashar al Assad opened talks with visiting UN peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who is trying to broker a truce to start during a Muslim holiday this week.

Mr Brahimi told reporters following a closed-door meeting that he had earlier met with unidentified Syrian opposition groups inside and outside the country to consult on his truce plan.

He said he received "promises" but not a "commitment" from them to honour the cease-fire.

"There is a promise to stop fighting," he said, referring to the opposition.

He noted that he "found an overwhelming response" from Mr Assad's opponents to his cease-fire plan and that "all of them have said that it's a good idea which they support."

State news agency Sana said the president supported "any sincere effort to find a political solution to the crisis, based on respect for Syrian sovereignty and rejecting foreign intervention".

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Kirkland Attack: Man Held After Goalkeeper Hit

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was hit in the face during a Championship game against Leeds.

A statement from Gloucestershire Police said the man was arrested in Cheltenham shortly before 1pm on Sunday.

Kirkland was struck in the face by a man who got on to the pitch shortly after Leeds had scored an equaliser.

He fell to the ground and required treatment, but was able to finish the game.

South Yorkshire Police are leading the investigation. The man remains in police custody.

A statement from South Yorkshire Police's senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Mark Monteiro said the offender was identified with public help.

He said: "With the public's assistance we have clearly identified the offender who ran on to the pitch during Friday night's game between Sheffield Wednesday FC and Leeds United FC and who is suspected of assaulting the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper.

"We are also using CCTV footage from around the ground to identify suspects who may have been responsible for other offences before, during or after the match.

"I'd like to thank the supporters and general public who have provided information and assisted with our inquiries."

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Beirut Protests: Tense Stand-Off In Lebanon

Police in Beirut have fired warning shots and thrown tear gas at hundreds of angry protesters attempting to storm the Prime Minister's office in Beirut.

Clashes erupted during the funeral for top intelligence chief Brigadier General Wissam al Hassan, who was killed in a massive car bombing on Friday.

Forces had earlier set up road blocks and cordoned off Beirut's Martyrs' Square as well as boosting security in the capital.

Wissam al Hassan was killed by a massive car bomb on Friday

Currently, the scene has quietened to a tense stand-off, which some protesters refusing to leave the area.

Mr al Hassan, 47, was a powerful opponent of Syria in Lebanon and headed an investigation over the summer that led to the arrest of former information minister Michel Samaha, a politican who was one of Syria's most loyal allies.

He was among eight people killed in the attack on Friday, which many have blamed on the Syrian regime.

The protesters believe the government is too close to Syria and its ally in Lebanon, the Shiite group Hizbollah.

They are calling for Prime Minister Najib Mikati to quit over Mr al Hassan's assassination.

Even before the bombing, the civil war in neighboring Syria had set off violence in Lebanon and deepened tensions between supporters and opponents of President Bashar Assad's regime.

The attack heightened fears that Lebanon could easily plunge back into cycles of sectarian violence and reprisal that have haunted it for decades.

Dozens of anti-Syrian protesters erected eight tents near the cabinet headquarters in central Beirut, saying they will stay until Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government, which is dominated by the Shiite militant group Hizbollah and its allies, resigns.

Politicians salute Mr al Hassan's coffin during the funeral

Hizbollah is Syria's most powerful ally in Lebanon, which for much of the past 30 years has lived under Syrian military and political domination.

Syria's hold on Lebanon began to slip in 2005, when former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, an opponent of Syria, was assassinated by a truck bomb along Beirut's Mediterranean waterfront.

Syria denied any role, but broad public outrage in Lebanon expressed in massive street protests forced Damascus to withdraw its tens of thousands of troops from the country.

For years after the pullouts, there was a string of attacks on anti-Syrian figures in Lebanon without any trials for those responsible.

Al Hassan will be buried in Martyrs' Square next to the late Hariri.

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Cardiff Hit-And Run: Dad Saw Van Hit Child

A father has described the terrifying moment his young family were struck by a van in Cardiff.

Adam Lewis' two-year-old daughter Amelia-May was catapulted from her pram during a 30-minute hit-and-run rampage across the Welsh capital.

Luckily, she escaped with only cuts and bruises, while Mr Lewis' partner Annie Jones, 23, was left with a broken leg, fractured ankle and a puncture wound to her hip.

CCTV footage captured the moment the van targeted the young family

He told Sky News: "I caught the van in my peripheral vision but it was too late, he just sped up and smashed straight into us.

"I got pushed to the side with the wing-mirror and unfortunately my partner and the baby took the brunt of it.

"(Amelia-May) ended up face down on the pavement, and my partner was there holding onto her leg, and it was broken."

Amelia-May was left with cuts, bruises and a grazed face.

Ms Jones is undergoing surgery to have metal pins and rods inserted into her leg to help with the healing process.

CCTV footage taken by a shopkeeper showed the Iveco transit-style van veering across the road and targeting the couple and their child just minutes before the driver goes on to kill mother-of-three Karina Menzies, 32.

She was with her children at the time, and reportedly threw them out of the way as the van approached.

Ms Menzies, 32, was killed on Friday after being knocked down

Her brother Craig said: "She threw the kids to each side of her and gave her own life saving her kids. That's what any mother would do.

"She was just a lovely beautiful bubbly person, everyone loved her. Three gorgeous little girls have lost their mother, I just feel so bad for them."

Ten others were injured in the crashes on the streets of the Welsh capital.

The van went on a hit-and-run rampage across Cardiff

"We're just so relieved that we're still all OK," Mr Lewis said. "It's just so overwhelming, such as surreal situation to be put in.

"You don't expect a big white van to come and smack you off the pavement.

"Why somebody would want to do that, I'll never know.

Reverend Jan Gould will lead a special church service later

"I'm just hoping there's not going to be any psychological effects with Amelia-May."

Detectives were last night granted a further 36 hours to question a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

Officers are also appealing for information about a mystery car seen driving on the wrong side of the road shortly before the crashes.

Detective Superintendent Paul Hurley said that the suspect left his vehicle and physically assaulted people between the crashes and also carried a steering wheel lock as a weapon.

According to unconfirmed reports, police are also investigating whether the driver was involved in a domestic incident before the collisions.

At 2pm on Sunday a crowd of around 200 gathered outside the fire station where Ms Menzies was killed.

A special church service will be held later for the victims at the Church of the Resurrection on Grand Avenue.

Reverend Jan Gould said that while community was in shock local people would stand "shoulder to shoulder" together.

Ms Menzies' family have released a statement calling her a "good friend" who would be "sorely missed".

"Karina was a lovely girl. She lived for her kids and her brothers and sisters and everything she did was for her family.

"She was a good friend to everyone and was well thought of in the community. She will be sorely missed by everyone."

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