Corrie's William Roache Was 'Perfect Gent'

By Mike McCarthy, North Of England Correspondent, Preston Crown Court

Coronation Street's William Roache always behaved impeccably in the company of young women, his co-star Anne Kirkbride has told a court.

The actress, who plays Roache's on-screen wife Deirdre Barlow, said she had known him since joining the soap's cast in 1972.

Roache, of Wilmslow in Cheshire, who has played the role of Ken Barlow since 1960, denies four charges of indecent assault and two of rape and has told the jury he is not sexually attracted to underage girls.

All the offences are alleged to have happened between 1965 and 1971 and all are said to be against girls aged 16 or under.

Roache arrives at court with his son Linus and daughter Verity

Kirkbride started giving evidence for the defence by recalling the time when she joined Coronation Street as a "terrified and very nervous" young actress and met Roache for the first time.

"He was friendly...we had a really nice chat and he offered me a cigarette," she said.

"We shared a lot of the same interests in spiritual things. I just found him very easy to talk to."

Asked to describe the defendant in one word she replied: "Lovely."

With Roache smiling from the dock, Kirkbride, 59, went on to say that he behaved "impeccably" towards her.

"He was always the perfect gentleman," she said.

Defence barrister Louise Blackwell QC asked: "Was there anything about his behaviour towards young women which would worry you?"

The actress replied:  "Not at all...never. We have obviously had several young actresses playing our daughter.

"He has never been anything other than helpful, supportive. Never a suggestion of anything else in all of the years I have known him."

In a brief appearance in the witness box, Chris Gascoyne, who plays Roache's fictional son Peter Barlow in the soap opera, said the defendant was "kind, warm and open" with a great sense of humour.

He told the jury: "Bill kind of sets the precedent for everybody. Decent, time for everybody, not a 'star'."

He went on to say that Roache was a calm and relaxed man.

"He takes every day as a new day which is inspiring to me,"  Gascoyne said.

Helen Worth, who plays the character of Gail Platt, is also at court and is expected to give evidence in support of Roache.

Granada location manager John Newman told the jury that security at the Coronation Street studios in Manchester was very tight.

He said that strangers found in the corridors would be challenged.

Mr Newman said he had once had Manchester's Lord Mayor removed because he had not recognised him.

Under cross-examination, Mr Newman said he had had no connection with the Granada studios in the 1960s and that the security level had intensified in recent years.

For live updates from the trial, click here.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Texas Skydiver Falls 3,000ft And Survives

A 16-year-old girl from Texas has survived a fall of more than 3,000ft in a skydiving accident in Oklahoma.

Makenzie Wethington is in good condition, despite multiple injuries, including to her liver, pelvis lumbar spine in her lower back, shoulder blade and several ribs, trauma surgeon Jeffrey Bender said.

"I don't know the particulars of the accident, as I wasn't there. But if she truly fell 3,000 feet, I have no idea how she survived," the surgeon from Oklahoma said.

Makenzie is expected to leave the intensive care unit soon, he said.

Makenzie and her father dressed for the flight

The teenager's parents had allowed her to take the jump but father Joe has now said the skydiving company should not have allowed it.

The company involved has defended its decision, saying the father went up with his daughter and was the first to jump.

Robert Swainson, instructor and owner of the company involved, said Makenzie's parachute had opened as it should have done but she began to spiral downward when the chute went up but not out.

Makenzie and Joe Wethington before takeoff

He said skydivers were given instruction during a six-to-seven-hour training session on how to deal with such problems.

The instructor also said Makenzie had a radio hookup in her helmet through which someone gave her instructions.

"It was correctable, but corrective action didn't appear to have been taken," he said.

Makenzie has injured her liver, spine and shoulder

Mr Swainson said he did not jump out to help Makenzie because there was no way he could have reached her.

Also, he explained, another jumper had become scared and refused to make the jump so it was protocol for him to remain with the frightened person because instructors do not know what that person will do.

"The most I could have done is screamed," he said.

Nancy Koreen, director of sport promotion at the US Parachute Association, said its safety requirements allow someone who is 16 to make a dive with parental consent, though some places set the age higher.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Carney Warns Of Risks Of Scots Independence

By Ed Conway, Economics Editor

Scotland will have to settle for less independence than most other nations enjoy if it secedes from the United Kingdom, the Bank of England Governor has warned.

Mark Carney warned of "clear risks" associated with the economics of Scottish independence, adding that the country would have to surrender some of its sovereignty if it were to retain the pound.

In a closely-watched speech in Edinburgh he said: "A durable, successful currency union requires some ceding of national sovereignty."

He said that might entail having to sign up to stringent fiscal rules to ensure an independent Scotland does not overspend, or allowing London a degree of control and oversight in its finances.

Although the Governor was at pains not to spell out whether Scotland would be better or worse off under independence, his speech raised the prospect of a euro-style crisis, warning that the currency union was largely responsible for "sovereign debt crises, financial fragmentation and large divergences in economic performance".

The speech is likely to come as a disappointment for the Yes campaign, which has sought to reassure Scottish voters that a Yes vote in September would not leave the country prone to economic instability.

First Minister Alex Salmond met Mr Carney ahead of the speech and told Sky News the two had had a productive meeting.

Mr Carney and Mr Salmond after their private meeting

The Governor's speech warned of two primary areas of concern in the event that Scotland became independent and sought to keep the pound.

The first was that in order to maintain competitiveness with the rest of the United Kingdom, without having control over its own interest rates, the country would need to keep tight control on public spending.

Without its own currency to depreciate, it would also potentially have to impose deeper wage cuts on workers in the event of a crisis - such as is happening currently in Greece and Spain.

Second, the Governor said that an independent Scotland would probably need to establish a banking union with the UK, if it wanted to maintain the Bank of England as a potential Lender of Last Resort in the event of a banking crisis.

This would, again, entail potential interference from London.

He concluded: "Decisions that cede sovereignty and limit autonomy are rightly choices for elected governments and involve considerations beyond mere economics.

"For those considerations, others are better placed to comment."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Student 'Fell In River After Drinking'

Student Megan Roberts, who has been missing in York since Thursday, probably fell into a river "affected by alcohol", police say.

Detective Superintendent Phil Cain described the last known movements of the York St John University student almost a week after the 20-year-old went missing.

He said: "The strongest and most probable line of inquiry being pursued by police is that Megan, affected by alcohol, has entered the river.

"On balance, this presents as a group of young friends on a night out that is likely to have ended in tragedy."

Police have concentrated their search around the bank of the River Ouse where it runs through the city. A police diver has been scouring the area around Lendal Bridge.

Megan Roberts was seen crashing into this cycle rack near the Maltings pub

They say there is nothing to suggest foul play in relation to the disappearance of Ms Roberts who is from Wetherby, West Yorkshire.

Det Supt Cain said officers had established that Ms Roberts was with a group of friends who had been drinking "for several hours" before leaving the Popworld nightclub, in York city centre, at around 2.10am on Thursday.

He said: "All the group, including Megan, were heavily affected by alcohol."

The group were spread out and some of them ran down a street called Tanner's Moat, past The Maltings pub, where Ms Roberts - the last in the group - was spotted bumping into a row of cycle racks.

"CCTV evidence does not show Megan running back up the same street with the others to rejoin the main group," he said.

Police have been searching the River Ouse in York

Officers are confident that none of her friends is directly responsible for her disappearance.

"The possibility still exists that Megan is elsewhere safe and well but, realistically, given the passage of time, such a possibility is increasingly remote," Det Supt Cain said.

Police say there is nothing to link her disappearance to the case of Claudia Lawrence - the university chef who went missing in York in 2009 and who police believe has been murdered.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Andy Coulson 'Listened To Hacked Voicemail'

The Prime Minister's former head of communications knew about the illegal phone hacking and was played a voicemail left by actress Sienna Miller for Daniel Craig, a court heard.

An ex-reporter at the News Of The World told the court that former editor Andy Coulson told him to make it look like tapes of the message had been dropped off anonymously at their offices.

Dan Evans said Coulson and other senior figures at the paper were played a recording of the message back in 2005, which he said revealed the pair were having an affair.

He told the court: "Andy came over wanting to hear the tape. I played the tape a couple of times and they listened to it. Andy became very animated, (he was saying) 'brilliant'."

Another journalist said to him: "You are a company man now."

Former News of the World reporter Dan Evans

The message contained a female voice saying "Hi it's me, I can't speak, I'm at the Groucho (club) with Jude (Law, her boyfriend at the time). I love you", the Old Bailey heard. Evans said he checked the number on his database and found it was Sienna Miller's.

Evans claims that after he made a copy of the message on Coulson's orders, he was told to put it in a Jiffy bag and take it to reception so it would look like it had been dropped off anonymously.

Another journalist then picked it up with "mock surprise", saying "look what I've found".

James Bond star Craig denied the story when he was confronted by Evans at his home, and publication was delayed for more work to be done on the story. It was published a week later after Law's public relations executive approved it.

Later, Evans listened to an apparently angry voicemail to Craig from Law, which said: "Thanks mate. I hope Saski (his girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell) doesn't find out."

Another story he picked up from Craig's voicemail was the news Eva Green would become a Bond girl. Evans also admitted hacking the voicemail of actor Shane Ritchie and Formula One driver Jenson Button.

The final edition of the News Of The World

Evans told the court "everybody was on tenterhooks" in August 2006 when journalist Clive Goodman and investigator Glenn Mulcaire were arrested. "There was a lot of fear and anxiety around. A lot of people were preparing to cover their tracks."

He added a senior member of staff told him "it goes without saying no more hooky stuff" in reference to hacking. Evans then started getting rid of notebooks and tapes of recorded voicemails, he told the court.

The court was told Evans was suspended and put on paid gardening leave after being caught accessing the messages of designer Kelly Hoppen for a story involving footballer Sol Campbell.

A security alert on her phone led back to Evans' company mobile, the jury heard.

He was made redundant when the paper closed in 2011 and received the same payout as everyone else.

Evans was asked by prosecution QC Andrew Edis who at the News Of The World knew about hacking. He gave 10 names, including Coulson's.

Coulson denies conspiring to hack phones and commit misconduct in a public office. All seven defendants in the trial, including former Sun and News Of The World editor Rebekah Brooks, deny all of the charges against them.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shark Bite Doctor Stitches Leg And Goes To Pub

By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent

A New Zealand doctor who was bitten by a shark, sewed up his own wounds before heading to the pub to celebrate his lucky escape.

Junior doctor James Grant was spearfishing with friends when he was attacked near Cosy Nook on New Zealand's South Island.

The 24-year-old initially thought one of his friends was playing a trick on him when he felt a tug on his leg.

"I looked behind to see who it was and got a bit of a shock," he told Radio New Zealand.

"(I thought) bugger, now I have to try and get this thing off my leg."

The doctor suspects he was attacked by a seven-gill shark

Mr Grant used the knife he had with him to stab at the shark.

"I am not sure how effective it was. I guess it let go so something must have happened, put a few nicks in it."

The doctor then made his way to shore and after taking off his wetsuit saw the puncture wounds in his leg, left by what he believes was a seven-gill shark.

Using a first aid kit in his car he stitched up the bites, which were about 5cm long, and then headed to the pub - before eventually making the trip to hospital.

The bites were about 5cm long - not enough to stop him going for a pint

As well as a drink, the Colac Bay Tavern also served him a bandage because he was dripping blood on the floor.

"We gave him a pint of beer and his mates were kicking around, laughing," Colac Bay Tavern co-owner Warren Bevin told 3 News.

"Then we brought out the big first-aid kit and got a little bandage out. There were a couple of good holes on both sides of his leg."

Barman Warren Bevin served up a bandage as well as a drink

The stitching was finished off when he went to Invercargill Hospital, where he was back at work on Monday.

Shark specialist Clinton Duffy, of New Zealand's Department of Conservation, told Fairfax NZ news he believed the attacker was probably a broad-nosed seven-gill shark.

Seven-gill sharks can grow up to three metres long and New Zealand is one of the few countries where they attack humans.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Corrie's William Roache: I Did Not Abuse Girls

By Mike McCarthy, North Of England Correspondent

Coronation Street star William Roache has flatly denied raping or indecently assaulting girls.

The actor also told jurors at his trial that he did not know any of the five alleged victims who accuse him of the offences.

As soon as he went into the witness box on the first day of his defence case, his barrister Louise Blackwell QC asked him: "Have you committed any of the offences with which you are charged?"

The actor replied: "No. I have not."

The lawyer continued: "Do you have any memory of being in the company of any of these people who have made the allegations against you?"

Roache: "No. Not one of them."

He went on to say that he had an interest in things "beyond the norm and spiritual matters".

The celebrity told the jury that he was hard of hearing because of a mortar bomb explosion he had witnessed while in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Roache arrived at court with his family

He said he had wanted to follow his father into the medical profession but found he performed better in arts subjects.

He was asked about his life in the 60s, which he said was dominated by the pressures of rehearsing and filming for Coronation Street.

Speaking from a glass witness box in an assured voice he said that autograph hunters would gather outside Granada studios in Manchester where the programme was filmed.

"I would always stop," he said. "People had been waiting there all day so I liked to give autographs.

"You would wind down your window in the car, you would sign them and then on you go."

He denied ever inviting young fans into his dressing room or onto the Coronation Street set during filming.

"It was an extremely difficult and dangerous thing to do.  Basically no - other than occasionally very close family," he said.

Roache's children Verity, James and Linus, have been in the public gallery every day of the trial so far.

The actor denies four charges of indecently assaulting girls and two charges of raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967.

The trial continues.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Megan Roberts: Police Search River

Police looking for a missing university student in York are focusing their search on the river that runs through the city - and CCTV footage that shows the last time she was seen.

Megan Roberts disappeared in the early hours of Thursday morning during a night out, but friends and family only realised on Monday that she was missing.

Officers are scouring the bank of the River Ouse in York.

CCTV footage shows the York St John University student with a group of friends on one side of the river - but absent from the group when they are on the other.

Officer searching the River Ouse near where Megan was last seen

The 20-year-old was reported missing by her mother on Monday morning after a friend raised concerns.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said she was last seen at around 2am on Thursday in the Popworld bar in George Hudson Street, having gone out with friends on Wednesday evening.

Miss Roberts was seen in the CCTV with a group of people on the corner of Rougier Street near Lendal Bridge at around 2.20am. But when the group was picked up on camera a short time later at the other side of the bridge, on Museum Street, the student was not with them.

Police say they are concerned for Megan's welfare

While police are searching the riverbank in the city centre, an underwater search unit has also been deployed.

Superintendent Phil Cain told Sky News denied there was any suggestion a had been following the student in the hours before she was last seen.

"There were some Twitter comments on Megan's account but we've explored those with family and friends and at this stage there's nothing to suggest there is any criminality involved in relation to Megan's disappearance," he said.

He added that police had since begun interviews with Miss Roberts' friends to establish her last known movements.

"There's nothing to indicate Megan was anything other than a bright young student," he said.

Mr Cain had previously said: "We are very concerned for Megan's welfare and are urging the public to help us establish her movements in the early hours of Thursday 23 January 2014.

Megan had been on a night out at the Popworld nightclub

"As with all missing persons inquiries we are doing everything we can to locate Megan and make sure she is safe and well.

"Her disappearance and the fact that she has not had any contact with her family and friends for almost five days now is extremely unlike her and adds to our concern.

"Megan's family are understandably very distressed by her disappearance and I would appeal for anyone who has any information at all about where she might be to get in touch with the police as soon as possible."

Miss Roberts is described as around 5ft 6in and of medium build with long dark brown hair. When last seen she was wearing a cream knee-length dress which had large brown and orange flowers on it and black plimsolls-type shoes.

Police said that specially trained officers are supporting the missing student's family.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blizzard Warning Amid Fears Of More Floods

Motorists and commuters have been warned of ice, sleet and snow as well as hail and thundery showers, with temperatures expected to plummet to around freezing across the UK.

And amid warnings of heavy rain, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson admitted the Government could have done more to help residents in parts of the country worst-affected by flooding - and that dredging of some rivers in the county should have happened.

How the weather has changed in the UK in the past decade Source: Met Office

It means more misery for flood-hit areas with some communities in Somerset - where the council has declared a "major incident" - facing a fourth week under water.

Mr Paterson was visiting Northmoor Green in the county where he held crisis talks with council chiefs and farmers whose crops have been devastated by the recent stormy weather.

Facing tough questions from furious locals on the official response to the flooding, Mr Paterson told Sky News: "How shocking it is for people to be flooded and I really do appreciate the impact floods have had on people ... they are quite right to be angry."

He acknowledged the national guidelines on dredging were not appropriate for the Somerset Levels, large parts of which are below sea level.

The Environment Agency's flood alerts and warnings

In defence of the Environment Agency, Mr Paterson said it had protected a million homes and was "working incredibly hard".

He said he had asked local officials to present him with "a very clear action plan" within six weeks to enable him "to make a categoric decision once and for all" on a "long-term serious plan" for the area for the next 20 years.

Several counties including Hampshire and Dorset also remain at risk of flooding, while further snowfall is expected across Wales, Scotland and northern England.

The Environment Agency has issued more than 150 flood warnings and alerts across England and Wales.

John Osman, leader of Somerset County Council, said he was "hugely disappointed" there would be no immediate extra funding to protect flood-hit communities.

A view of flood water surrounding the village of Muchelney in Somerset

"We will continue to keep the pressure on to secure a fair deal for Somerset's residents," he said.

Bryony Sadler, of Flooding on the Somerset Levels Action Group (FLAG), dismissed Mr Paterson's visit as a "publicity stunt".

"It was a waste of taxpayers' money," the hairdresser said. "We are here, we have lived like this - like a third world country - for three weeks. We have just pushed and pushed and pushed.

"It is all just a great show for the cameras, isn't it? No-one is listening to what we want to say. It is very depressing, it is very negative."

Matthew Lay, national officer of Unison, said: "Communities up and down the country will remain in danger until the Environment Agency is given adequate resources and funding to prevent and handle disasters caused by floods."

Snowfall over Middleton-in-Teesdale

Temperatures are expected to fall to or just below freezing, according to the Met Office, which has warned of "blizzard conditions".

This will result in the risk of icy patches on roads and the potential for travel disruption.

Its chief forecaster said: "Rain or sleet is expected at lower levels however, above 250m, some wet snow is likely at times with perhaps 2-5 cm of snow accumulating, whilst above 400m a further 10 to 20cm is possible.

"Strong to gale force south to southeasterly winds will combine with heavy snow to result in blizzard conditions at times."

And with a band of rain across the country edging north-eastwards towards the far north-east of England and central and northern Scotland, the forecaster added: "With saturated ground and rivers already high in these areas there is the risk of some localised flooding."

Mr Paterson (centre) visiting Northmoor Pumping Station in Somerset

Fourteen serious flood warnings are in place for parts of the South West, South East, Midlands and North East with the Environment Agency advising people in affected areas to take immediate action.

The Somerset Levels, which run south from the Mendip Hills to the Blackdown Hills, are particularly vulnerable with 31,000 acres under water, as further heavy rain falls on already saturated ground.

There is also potential for further river flooding across the South West and southern counties including parts of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex, West Berkshire and Surrey into next week.

The Environment Agency is running more than 60 pumps around the clock to drain an estimated 65 million cubic metres of floodwater from the Levels.

A temporary pontoon has been erected near the village of Langport to allow residents to get to their homes and a boat service is ferrying people to and from work and school.

Twitter user Grant Kavanagh saw 'strange weather' in Knaphill, Surrey

As well as the flood alerts, parts of Scotland have been told to brace for strong winds gusting up to 80mph.

Nazaneen Ghafar, Sky News Weather Presenter, said: "Currently we have low pressure anchored to the north-west of the UK. This area of low pressure will sink south-wards over the next couple of days, and as it does this will change the wind direction to an easterly flow. The easterly winds will bring in very cold air from Europe, where temperatures across Scandinavia are currently well below freezing.

"As a result, any showers or spells of rain that meet the cold air will have a greater risk of turning wintry, especially for eastern parts of the UK. Wintry showers are likely and the risk of some overnight snow across northern areas from Wednesday onwards.

"There will also be the continued chance of hail at times, and ice will be an increasing problem."

On Sunday, light snow flurries affected parts of northern England, including in Cumbria, where snow ploughs were used to clear sections of the A66.

A "mini tornado" was reported in parts of the Midlands and southern Britain, where trees were brought down, power supplies knocked out and outbuildings damaged.

:: Watch Sky News live on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ex-Weatherman Fred Talbot Faces Sex Charges

Former TV weatherman Fred Talbot has been charged following an investigation into historical sexual abuse.

Talbot, of Langham Road, Bowden, has been charged with nine counts of indecent assault and one further count of sexual assault.

The 64-year-old, who was a regular on the floating weather map in Liverpool's Albert Dock for ITV's This Morning, is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court on February 11.

The charges relate to the alleged sexual abuse of five victims, three of whom were under 16 at the time.

Talbot was first detained on April 9 last year.

Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Greater Manchester Police in relation to allegations from five complainants that Fred Talbot sexually assaulted them between the 1960s and 1980s.

"Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Talbot to be charged with 10 sexual offences relating to five complainants, three of whom were under 16 years of age at the time."

Six counts of indecent assault relate to one person who attended a school in Newcastle at the time.

The other indecent assault offences relate to three alleged victims who attended Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.

The final sexual assault charge relates to an alleged offence against another former pupil of Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Justin Bieber 'Driving Charges Dropped'

Charges against Justin Bieber for driving under the influence and driving without a valid license appear to have been dropped by a court in Miami.

It comes after the 19 year old was arrested in the early hours of January 23 while driving a rented yellow Lamborghini at twice the speed limit.

The Canadian singer is said to have failed a sobriety test and admitted to having drunk a beer, taken a prescription drug and smoked marijuana.

After spending time in a jail cell he was charged with driving under the influence of drink or drugs, driving without a valid license and resisting arrest. His bail was set at $2,500 (£1,500) before his release.

However, according to documents on the Miami-Dade County Court Clerk's website, Bieber appears to now only be charged with resisting arrest without violence.

The teenager jetted out of Miami after his arrest and has been photographed in Panama over the past few days.

It is believed his manager Scooter Braun and mentor Usher have flown to Panama to speak to the singer about concerns they have over his recent behaviour.

Bieber was due to appear in court back in Miami at 8.30am on Monday morning.

Police chief Raymond Martinez said the star was "belligerent" when asked to get out of the car and that his movements had been "slow" and "deliberate" during his arrest.

Bieber was arrested alongside his friend, the R&B artist Khalil, who had been driving a red Ferrari when they were stopped.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tata Motors Boss Karl Slym In 'Suicide Jump'

Police are treating the death of the British managing director of Tata Motors as a suspected suicide.

Investigators in Thailand say there are no signs of foul play after Karl Slym, 51, fell from a hotel room window in Bangkok on Sunday.

Mr Slym was staying on the 22nd floor of the Shangri-La Hotel with his wife after attending a board meeting in the Thai capital.

Hotel staff found his body on the fourth floor and a three-page note was later discovered by police.

Lieutenant Somyot Boonyakaew, who is heading the investigation, said: "We didn't find any sign of a struggle.

"We found a window open. The window was very small so it was not possible that he would have slipped.

"He would have had to climb through the window to fall out because he was a big man. From my initial investigation we believe he jumped."

Thai police were called to the hotel at about 7.45am on Sunday after staff found Mr Slym's body.

They woke his wife, who is reported to have looked shocked when she was told what had happened.

A post-mortem examination on the body should begin later on Monday.

Mr Slym, originally from Derby, was hired by India's largest car maker in 2012 to revive flagging sales and market share in the country.

Anil Sharma, an analyst with researchers IHS Automotive, said: "His death comes at a time when the company seems to be close to turning the corner.

"It comes before his efforts bear fruit. We should be able to see the results in a year or two."

Worried investors sent shares in Tata Motors down as much as 6.7% at one point on Monday in a broader market that fell more than 2%. The stock ended 6% lower.

Tata chairman Cyrus P Mistry said: "(Mr Slym was) a valued colleague who was providing strong leadership at a challenging time for the Indian auto industry.

"In this hour of grief, our thoughts are with Karl's wife and family."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scottish Independence: 46% 'Don't Mind'

An exclusive poll for Sky News suggests almost half of people living outside Scotland "wouldn't mind" waking up to discover the country was independent from the rest of the UK.

YouGov questioned more than 2,500 people across Scotland, Wales and England.

Some 46% of those outside of Scotland asked to imagine waking up and finding the country independent from the rest of the UK said they "wouldn't mind", while 34% said they would be dismayed and 11% said they would be delighted.

When adults in Scotland were asked the same question, there was more evidence of the task facing Alex Salmond, the leader of the Sottish National Party, and the Yes campaign - with 46% saying they would be dismayed and just a quarter saying they would be delighted.

The referendum is de to take place on September 18

Speaking to Sky News for a special programme on Scottish independence, Mr Salmond, told Dermot Murnaghan he was confident people will vote in favour of Independence in the September 18 referendum.

He said the move would bring potential benefits and opportunities for people living in the north of England and Wales - referring to northern English councils' proposals to collaborate far more closely with their Scottish neighbours, as part of the Borderlands initiative.

"It is not for me to intervene in English affairs, but if you want a commentary, if I were a politician in the north of England, I would be campaigning avidly for more economic and political powers for that area.

"There are many people in Wales for example cheering Scotland on, because the tendency over the last generation has been that as Scotland has had increased power Wales has followed that. Therefore, it has been a good thing for other areas of the country."

The Yes campaign is currently a long way behind the polls

The Yes campaign is a long way behind the polls. But the First Minister, who believes independence will benefit the Scottish economy, also believes he can turn the situation around.

"Opinion polls tens to ask people how are you going to vote tomorrow, and people will answer on that basis.

"The referendum is not tomorrow. This referendum is in September, and therefore the campaign you will fight to win this referendum is one that engages people ... and that engagement is going to culminate in September - that's the point to be in front."

He also re-emphasised the proposal for a Scottish Broadcasting Corporation with "dedicated Scottish channels" which would look at Scottish, international and UK news from a Scottish perspective.

Mr Salmond said: "Scotland is not a county, or a district, or a region - Scotland's a country, it's a nation.

'Better Together' campaigners have been hitting the streets too

"That nation exists in friendship with other nations, and after Scottish independence, England will be our best pals, our closest neighbours, our best pals in the world. That's as it should be.

"That doesn't nullify or attack our case for Scottish independence - on the contrary, inter-dependence in the modern world strengthens the case."

Asked what he would do if he woke up on September 19 and found that he had lost the referendum, he replied: "I intend to win."

Former chancellor Alistair Darling, who is chairman of the Better Together campaign, said the UK was "more than the sum of four parts".

He told the Murnaghan show: "The advantage for us, the opportunities that come from being part of something bigger, in terms of jobs because we have got a bigger economy, in terms of the clout we have in the European Union and other international organisations, and the bonds between the four countries - I think you have to think long and hard before throwing that away."

Alistair Darling believes the referendum will be closer than people think

He said he believed the referendum was "going to be closer than people think", adding: "It is all to play for."

Scottish actor Brian Cox told the programme the UK had a "broken political system" in which "England gets the tap end of the bath", while London had always been a "separate principality".

"One of the best things that could have happened to the English parliament is that it moves to somewhere like Wolverhampton," he suggested.

"It seems to me the logical step is that we do have our own nation, we deserve it, and it has been a long time coming."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Terrorism Suspects Free Of Tough Controls

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

A group of terror suspects, branded by officials as a genuine threat to national security, are now free of tough controls designed to prevent them engaging in terrorist activity.

From today, seven of the eight suspects on the UK Government's Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIMs) are now no longer subject to any restrictions.

Terrorism experts have told Sky News that the police and security services would now have to implement costly contingency plans to ensure the suspects were still closely monitored.

The TPIMs programme was introduced by the current Government in late 2011 to replace the much criticised Control Orders regime which allowed the state to place tough restrictions on a small number of terrorist suspects who the authorities were unable to put before the courts.

The TPIMs measures include the wearing of GPS tags, tough controls on the use of phones and computers and restrictions on the people a suspect is allowed to associate with.

But in an attempt to address the widespread criticism and legal challenges the previous Control Orders regime received, the Government set a maximum two-year limit on TPIMs orders.

The measures included tough controls on the use of phones and computers

Seven of the eight TPIMs suspects have now reached that two-year mark and are now free to mix with whoever they want and travel freely without restrictions.

Raffaello Pantucci, a terrorism expert at the Royal United Services Institute, said TPIMS were never a permanent fix for what is a complex issue.

"The problem with TPIMs is that they were always a temporary solution. The underlying problem of what to do with individuals who are clearly of concern to the security services but have not crossed the criminal threshold, how to address these sorts of people, was never really fundamentally addressed."

The former TPIMs suspects, now free of their restrictions, cannot be named for legal reasons, but some were described just months ago as being a genuine threat to the public.

They include 'CD' who the authorities have said is "determined to carry out a Mumbai-style attack in Britain".

He attended a terror training camp in Cumbria in 2004 with four of the five men who went on to launch a failed suicide-bombing attack on the London transport network two weeks after the 7/7 bombings.

Missing terror suspect Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed absconded from his TPIM order

Security sources say he repeatedly tried to buy guns for a suspected plot to carry out a mass-casualty attack in the UK.

Another suspect, 'CF,' underwent terror training in Somalia and was caught in the Olympic Park five times in the months leading up to the 2012 games.

Although he never faced trial, 'AM' was described by the authorities as a key player in the foiled plot to blow up transatlantic airliners using liquid bombs.

Imposing restrictions on those who have never been convicted of a crime has always been controversial and both Control Orders and now TPIMs have been criticised by human-rights groups.

Cerie Bulivant was the subject of an anti-terrorism Control Order for two years. His movements were strictly monitored and his access to people and technology were severely restricted.

At one point he absconded before later turning himself in. After a long battle through the courts, he was eventually cleared of all involvement in terrorist activity.

He told Sky News: "Terror control measures do not work and risk further alienating people."

Cerie Bulivant was subject to a two-year Control Order

Under his Control Order, he said: "I felt like you have a sword hanging over your throat. Any slip or misdemeanour on any number of conditions could lead to you being in prison for five years; all on the basis of what is fundamentally secret evidence and secret courts."

The Government believes the TPIMs programme has been "effective in reducing the national security risk posed by a number of individuals".

Security minister James Brokenshire said: "It is not possible to discuss individual cases, but the police and security services have been working for some time to put tailored plans in place to manage the risk posed by these individuals once their TPIM restrictions are removed.

"These plans, which are similar to those put in place for the release of prisoners who have served their sentences, are kept under constant review."

Some experts estimate it could cost up to £20m to keep the former TPIMs suspects under effective surveillance.

Baroness Neville-Jones says 'society has to be protected against threats'

Former security minister Baroness Neville-Jones said that whatever the cost, they would be monitored.

"Society does have to have protection against people who have represented and may continue to represent a real threat to the community.

"This is a very mild way of doing it because people are having their freedoms restored but on the basis that there is an ability on the part of society to continue to ensure for themselves that actually that freedom isn't being abused."

But the authorities acknowledge no surveillance system is full-proof. Even under the Control Order and TPIM regimes, several suspects managed to escape.

Late last year, Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed absconded from his TPIM order after leaving a west London mosque wearing a Burkha. Three months on, he is still on the run.

:: Watch Sky News live on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather: Heavy Rain Could Add To Flood Misery

Communities across southern England have been told to prepare for possible flooding as further heavy rain is forecast for today through to Tuesday.

The Environment Agency (EA) has 10 flood warnings in place for the South West, which mean flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

It highlighted the Somerset Levels, which run south from the Mendip Hills to the Blackdown Hills, as an area which should be prepared for further flooding.

An EA spokeswoman said: "With the ground already saturated, rivers and groundwater levels remain very responsive to rainfall, particularly on the Somerset Levels.

Flood warnings and alerts in England and Wales Pic: Environment Agency

"Environment Agency teams continue to operate up to 62 pumps 24 hours a day to drain an estimated 65 million cubic metres of floodwater off an area of the Levels spanning 65 square kilometres."

There is also potential for further river flooding across the southwest and southern counties including parts of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex, West Berkshire and Surrey into next week.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning of severe weather for the South West from 6am to 2pm today.

It said rain across the UK would be accompanied by strong winds, and up to 20mm of rainfall is expected.

Many communities are still coming to terms with the flooding that hit Somerset at the beginning of January.

The Somerset village of Muchelney has been cut-off by floodwaters

Somerset County Council has declared a "major incident" for all areas affected by flooding in the county.

The leader of the council, John Osman, told Sky News: "There's no let up in the rain coming down. The water levels on the moorlands are rising. We are getting towards breaking point."

A vital boat service operated by Somerset County Council, which is ferrying people to work and school, as well as taking in supplies, is continuing as the access roads are still flooded.

Sedgemoor District Council has also declared a "major incident" on the Somerset Levels.

Strong winds on Saturday blew bricks and tiles off the roofs of houses and forced residents to be evacuated in a street in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

Several people dialled 999 as the storm swept through the town but nobody was hurt, Warwickshire Police said.

The A66 as hill snow falls in the Northern Pennines, earlier

Elsewhere in the county the emergency services and the highways agency have been working with local councils to deal with a number of other storm related incidents including trees which had been brought down by the strong winds, and flooded roads as a result of the heavy rain.

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "Today's rain may exacerbate the problems  in the South West but is unlikely to have  much impact away from the already flooded areas.

"This week, there may be some small improvements, in so much as there is no further prolonged heavy rain expected before next weekend, but showers will continue."

:: Watch Sky News live on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Australia: First Shark Killed As Cull Begins

A large shark has been shot dead off Australia's western coast - the first under a controversial culling policy brought in to cut the number of attacks on surfers and swimmers.

The three-metre (10ft) animal, believed to be a female tiger shark, one of three species on the government's kill list, was caught on bait lines off Meelup Beach near Dunsborough, south of Perth.

Government spokesman Simon Beaumont said a fisherman contracted to patrol the lines killed the shark and dumped its carcass at sea.

According to The West Australian newspaper, the creature was shot in the head four times at close range.

The cull, which allows baited drum lines with hooks to be set 1km (0.62 miles) off popular beaches until the end of April, was approved by Australia's national government last week.

The animal shot dead near Perth is believed to have been a tiger shark

Local marine experts have declared the area the deadliest in the world for shark attacks following six fatal maulings in the past two years.

However, the government's response has been criticised by environmentalists who claim there is no evidence it will reduce attacks.

They say it could even increase the danger by giving beach users a false sense of security.

The Conservation Council of Western Australia, which has campaigned against the cull, warned of a "pretty significant public backlash".

Its director Piers Verstegen said: "This is just going to increase the level of public opposition to the shark cull when people see images and hear stories of these sharks being culled.

"It is certainly a sad day for our marine life and for thousands of people opposed to killing endangered sharks."

Western Australia state premier Colin Barnett, who was heckled by members of the public at an event in Perth after the shooting was announced, said he got "no pleasure out of seeing sharks killed".

But he added: "I have an overriding responsibility to protect the people of Western Australia. That's what I'm doing."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

22.55 | 0 komentar | Read More