Weather: Snow Storm Brings M6 To Standstill

Heavy snow is causing huge problems for drivers on the M6 motorway in Lancashire as rain and melting snow leads to flooding.

Poor driving conditions have led to collisions and delays on routes across the north of England.

The M6 motorway has been closed in both directions between junctions 25 and 27, near Wigan, after vehicles became stuck in heavy snow and many drivers abandoned their cars.

The stretch of motorway was brought to a standstill as drivers battled poor driving conditions and struggled to make it up inclines, while a number of accidents involving jack-knifed lorries have also blocked lanes.

The M6 gridlock. Pic Kevin Collister

The Highways Agency said there are severe delays in both directions of the motorway and have advised drivers to delay their journeys until weather conditions improve.

Kevin Collister, who is stuck on the motorway just past the M58 junction heading northbound, told Sky News: "There is absolutely no movement whatsoever on my side of the carriageway, all the snow is squashed down into ice and there are wagons trying to move and sliding sideways.

"It's an absolute nightmare, we've been here for three hours so far. A few people are saying we might be here for the night but we're just hoping we can get through."

Conservative MP David Morris, who is stuck on the southbound carriageway, told Sky News: "We've ground to a halt on both sides. Nothing is really moving.

"But the emergency services have been fantastic and are doing the best for us, and everyone is in good spirits - I've just seen a snowball fight and the man next door to me has built a snowman on top of his car roof -  it's very surreal."

Some M6 motorists are making the most of the snow. Pic Ashley Pinches

Pete Martin, from the Highways Agency, confirmed to Sky News that the M6 had been gritted and treated before the heavy snowfall.

"We had an extremely intense fall of snow across Lancashire between 8.30pm and midnight and basically there wasn't enough traffic to keep the lanes moving," he said.

"A number of HGVs lost traction between junctions 25 and 27 and once they blocked the carriageway the snow stacked up and the result was a number of stranded vehicles.

"We've had traffic officers helping motorists, and gritters and snow ploughs trying to clear up - a lot of resources are dealing with what has happened."

The agency is working to set up a shelter at Charnock Services, close to junction 28, for drivers and passengers suffering from the freezing temperatures while stuck inside their car or for those who have already walked away from their vehicles.

Lancashire Police said officers, Highways Agency staff and mountain rescue teams were working in conjunction to help stranded drivers.

Part of the M6 is closed both ways in Lancashire

It said: "We want to reassure anybody who's stuck that we're on our way with colleagues from the Highways Agency.

"The snow ploughs are out and about and the mountain rescue teams are also helping with recovery - be reassured we'll get to you."

It also warned drivers not to venture out while road and motorway conditions remained "treacherous".

Snow has reportedly caused hazardous conditions on parts of other motorways including the M18, M60, M65, M56 and M58.

Meanwhile all flights have been suspended at Leeds Bradford International Airport this morning as a fresh blanket of snow covered most of the Yorkshire region.

North Yorkshire Fire Service said a couple had to be rescued from a snow drift on the North York Moors on Friday evening.

A spokesman said: "Due to extreme weather conditions a husband and wife had driven into a snow drift and were unable to get out. The wife had undergone surgery a week before and they had tried to dig themselves out for over two hours.

"A well know breakdown company would not attend. Fire crews from Goathland and Whitby attended and managed to get the couple and the vehicle to the safety of a local hotel.

"Usually the fire service only attend life risk incidents but on this occasion an exception was made."

Hazardous conditions on the M61. Pic AA

North Yorkshire Police said some main roads were blocked by snow and abandoned vehicles including the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton and the B6265 at Rylstone.

The heavy snow across Britain marks a final flourish to the recent cold spell.

The Met Office has 12 amber warnings in place from the Midlands up to central England, urging the public to be prepared for likely disruption caused by the heavy snow.

There are also a number of yellow warnings in Wales, southwest England and London and the South East.

Weather experts have warned of the risk of flooding this weekend, as heavy rain moves in and rising temperatures spark a rapid thaw of the built-up snow and ice.

In southwest Wales emergency services are already responding to a rise in calls as roads and properties become flooded.

There are also reports of flooding on the M5 between junction 25 for Taunton and junction 26.

The Environment Agency has 19 flood warnings in place, 15 for the South West and four for Wales.

A further 76 flood alerts have been issued, including 41 for the South West, 16 for Wales, 15 for the South East and one for the North East.

A spokesman said: "Emergency teams from the Environment Agency will be out in force throughout the weekend to shore up defences, monitor river levels and clear blockages from watercourses."

Temperatures will steadily rise from tomorrow to an average of 4C before reaching more than 10C in the south on Sunday followed by wet and windy weather next week.

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Armed Robber Pinned Down During Raid Dies

An armed man has died after being restrained by customers during an attempted robbery at a bookmakers, police said.

The man, in his 50s, was believed to be wearing a gas mask and holding a gun when he entered a Ladbrokes branch on Crownhill Road in Plymouth shortly before 7pm.

Customers managed to disarm him and held him on the floor while others raised the alarm, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

Police arrested the man, who was already unconscious, but he was declared dead shortly afterwards.

"It quickly became clear the man was unresponsive and an ambulance was immediately requested by police who carried out CPR until they arrived," a police spokesman said.

"A few minutes later three paramedics arrived at the scene and continued to carry out further CPR. Around 20 minutes later the man was declared dead at the scene by the paramedics."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been informed of death.

Chief Inspector Ian Drummond-Smith said: "This is a very serious incident. We cannot speculate on what has actually taken place here today.

"A full investigation has now begun and while the IPCC carry out their investigation it is not appropriate to comment further."

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Man Dies After Car Crashes Into River Wye

A man has died after the car he was driving veered off a path and became submerged in a Derbyshire river.

The 42-year-old was driving his 11-year-old daughter to school near the Monsail Trail, north of the A6, when the Toyota Aygo entered the River Wye.

His wife was driving their nine-year-old son in another car behind him which also left the path and ended up in the water.

Derbyshire Police said the two children and their 39-year-old mother managed to escape unhurt from the cars but the father could not be saved, despite attempts from local residents, and died a short time later.

Paul Hawker, station manager at Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, was one of the first on the scene and said the wintry weather in the area was a contributing factor in the accident, a fire service spokeswoman said.

The county has experienced heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures in recent days.

Both mother and father were taking their children to school when the tragedy happened just after 8.30am.

Ice covers a waterfall in Leicestershire

Locals waded into the river to try to help the man and when police arrived on the scene an officer also plunged into the water to try to aid the rescue attempt.

Emergency vehicles and personnel, local mountain rescue volunteers, land ambulances, and the air ambulance, attended to take all four passengers to hospital.

Police said the man later died at Stepping Hill Hospital.

No names of the family members involved have yet been released and identification is expected to take place tomorrow.

Deaths linked to the recent cold snap have now hit double figures and forecasters are predicting another foot of snow is on its way for some areas.

Although the end of the cold weather is in sight as temperatures are expected to rise at the weekend, a further dumping of snow is expected tomorrow, bringing with it fears of further travel disruption.

A red squirrel in Northumberland

The Highlands of Scotland will see the heaviest snowfall with up to a foot, while up to six inches could fall in northern England, four inches in the Midlands and up to two inches in the South.

The Met Office said it has amber warnings in place for much of Scotland, the north of England, east of England and East and West Midlands, with yellow warnings in Wales, southwest England and London and the South East.

It warned that strong winds will also lead to drifting and blizzard-like conditions, particularly over higher level roads in the north.

The Environment Agency has warned of the risk of minor localised flooding in some areas due to the rapid thaw.

Flood risk manager Phil Rothwell said: "A combination of rain and snowmelt over the weekend will increase the risk of flooding, especially in south west England, Wales, the west Midlands and northern England.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and have teams ready to respond to any potential flooding."

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Car Thief Drives Off With Seven-Week-Old Baby

A mother said she was "shocked" after a car thief drove off with her newborn as the father stood nearby talking to a friend.

Thomas Moulsdale, 24, suddenly became aware someone had sneaked in the driver's side door and was driving off with his seven-week-old son, Leo, on the back seat.

He tried to open the passenger door shouting that his baby son was in the back but the thief drove on.

The child's mother Louise Waine said: "It made me feel sick. I didn't know what to do ... I was shocked and I just said stop and broke down. I said I don't know where to look ..."

Leo in his car seat

It was a frantic 15 minutes for Mr Moulsdale and his fiancee before the child was found safe and well in the car, which had been left close to a pub.

"Then we got a phone call ... saying they'd found him ... we shot down and I grabbed him out of the seat. I just felt ill. I can't believe someone would do that," she said.

Police are now appealing for any witnesses to the drama - which happened in Moor Road in Orrell, Wigan at 7.35pm on Tuesday - to contact them.

CCTV footage of the stolen car

Detective Constable Brendan Greally, from Wigan CID, said: "We can only imagine the distress that the parents of this young baby must have gone through after their son was taken from them in this manner.

"Thankfully, their nightmare was only short-lived after the baby was found safe and well inside the vehicle around 15 minutes later."

Police were told that the baby had been left in the abandoned blue Subaru Impreza on Maine Street, Billinge, by an anonymous caller.

The map shows where baby Leo was taken from and abandoned

The thief is described as a white man in his 20s, wearing a dark-coloured hat, a dark hooded top and lighter-coloured trousers or tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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Baby Death: Bloody Pillow And Blanket Found

A bloody pillow, blanket and wipes were found in the room of a baby who died after she was allegedly assaulted by her Irish nanny, investigators say.

Aisling McCarthy Brady, 34, from Quincy, Massachusetts, is alleged to have been the sole carer for the one-year-old US girl on January 14 - her first birthday - when she suffered injuries "consistent with abusive head trauma".

The baby, Rehma Sabir, died two days later in hospital after suffering brain damage.

She was also found to have multiple healing bone fractures.

In court documents, police said they found a blood-stained pillow and blanket in a crib and bloody baby wipes discarded in a nappy pail.

Brady - who is living illegally in America - is currently being held on $500,000 (£316,000) bail after pleading not guilty to assault and battery on a child causing substantial bodily injury.

Brady could face further charges

However, further charges are anticipated following the conclusion of the final report by the Chief Medical Examiner, the district attorney's office said on its website.

Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said: "This is an extremely troubling case where we allege the defendant violently assaulted a one-year-old child, causing a devastating head injury and broken bones.

"Children are our most vulnerable victims and where, as here, the offender has been entrusted with the care of a child who depends on them, the allegations are all the more egregious."

Irish priest, Kevin Fay, from Lavey, Co Cavan, said the family were "well-known and respected" in the area and that there is no foundation to the charges against Brady.

The hospital where Rehma was treated and later died

"Allegations are allegations - there's no foundation to them, no foundation at the moment to any of them," he said.

"Essentially, she comes from a very decent family," he added.

A farmer in Lavey where Brady grew up described her as a very nice girl.

A statement on the District Attorney's website said: "It is alleged that on January 14, the child was in the care of the defendant, her nanny.

"Through their investigation, including interviews with witnesses, police determined that the defendant had sole custody of and contact with the child during the time that she sustained injuries consistent with abusive head trauma."

Rehma's injuries could have happened at any time, Brady's lawyer told the Associated Press.

Immigration authorities said Brady arrived from Ireland in 2002 with a permit to stay for 90 days.

A spokeswoman for Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said: "We are aware of the case and have been in contact with the family.

"We are ready to provide any consular assistance if it is needed."

Rehma's father reportedly comes from London and her mother from Karachi, Pakistan.

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Chelsea's Hazard Sent Off After 'Ball Boy Kick'

A Chelsea player has been sent off after appearing to kick a ball boy during the team's league cup match against Swansea City.

Midfielder Eden Hazard apparently became annoyed when the boy failed to return the ball promptly after it went out of play with 10 minutes left of the Capital One Cup semi-final.

The boy lay on the ground grimacing after the encounter

The Blues forward tried to kick it from under him but instead he appeared to make contact with the youngster, leaving him writhing in pain and clutching his ribs.

After a delay of several minutes, when several Chelsea players went to tend to the 17-year-old, the Belgian was shown a red card by referee Chris Foy.

His team-mates reacted angrily, believing he had tried to get the ball loose to re-start play as Chelsea failed to make any inroads on Swansea's 2-0 advantage from the first leg.

South Wales Police launched an investigation and said the ball boy would be interviewed.

However a Swansea spokesman said that no further action would be taken.

Swansea captain Ashley Williams was quick to condemn Hazard's behaviour.

"(Chelsea striker) Demba Ba told me that the boy held onto it," he told Sky Sports after the final whistle.

Hazard's team-mates reacted angrily to the sending off

"I saw him (Hazard) kick him in the ribs, and you can't do that."

Chelsea's manager Rafa Benitez said Hazard and the ball boy had exchanged apologies in the dressing room after the match.

"They both talked. The boy knows he was wasting time. Hazard was frustrated and trying to get the ball back.

"We can not change the situation. We are disappointed because we lost a player.

"The best thing for us is to move forward."

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup told reporters he expected Hazard would regret the incident when he viewed it on television.

The boy received an apology from Hazard

"I saw it from a very big distance from the bench," he said.

"I've since seen it after the game. Hazard is a great player. When he sees the images I think he will regret it."

Laudrup denied the club had given the ball boys instructions to hold onto the ball when it went out of play.

"No, no. Definitely not," he said.

"I think he was pushed and on top of the ball. I can understand all the frustrations when you are behind."

Hazard's actions have also been widely criticised by football fans but the person behind Chelsea's official Twitter account appeared to disagree with the sending off.

"Has football gone mad? Hazard is sent off for kicking the ball under a ball boy attempting to smother the ball rather than return it. #CFC", was tweeted minutes after the decision.

The match ended 0-0, sending Swansea into their first major final, where they will meet Bradford City at Wembley.

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Rape Charge For BBC Presenter Stuart Hall

BBC presenter Stuart Hall has been charged with further sexual offences - including an alleged rape.

The 83-year-old veteran broadcaster was arrested on Tuesday after attending a Cheshire police station.

The Radio 5 Live football presenter was charged with 14 offences of sexual assault involving ten girls aged between nine and 16 between 1967 and 1986.

He is also accused of raping a 22-year-old woman in 1976.

In December, Hall was charged with three counts of indecent assault against young girls in the 1970s and 80s. He denied these three charges at a court hearing earlier this month.

Following the latest charges he was bailed to appear before magistrates in Preston on February 7.

Hall, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, has worked for more than a half century in British broadcasting and was awarded an OBE in this year's New Years Honours.

He presented the It's A Knockout show in the 1970s.

The BBC has previously said he would not be working at the corporation while he is facing allegations.

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Cameron To Promise 'In-Out' EU Referendum

Cameron And The EU: A Q&A

Updated: 3:46pm UK, Tuesday 22 January 2013

By Nicola Boden, Sky News Online

David Cameron's speech on Britain's position in Europe is significant for his party and for the country. Here is an explainer.

Why is Cameron making a speech?

Mr Cameron's speech on Britain's position in Europe has been a long time coming.

He wants to set out his views on the future role the UK should play in the European Union to try and settle rumblings in his own party and beyond.

The issue has become increasingly significant as the eurozone crisis developed and single currency members started pushing for closer integration in a bid to prevent a repeat of the crippling financial crisis.

This will require a new treaty, which could allow Britain to renegotiate its membership on a looser basis.

Mr Cameron wants to use this as a way of addressing growing calls for a referendum due to fears about the steady loss of sovereignty to Brussels.

Why was it delayed?

The speech was first planned months ago but put off until after Christmas.

It was initially planned for January 22 but then Downing Street were told this clashed with the anniversary of the signing of the Elysee Treaty between France and Germany and the timing would therefore play badly with these two key European allies.

January 21 was not an option because of Barack Obama's inauguration.

It was moved to January 18 and Amsterdam was fixed as the location, only for it to be delayed again because of the hostage crisis in Algeria.

Mr Cameron will now speak in London because it fits best with his schedule.

Why is it significant?

This speech has been billed as the most important foreign policy speech made by Mr Cameron since he first became Tory leader.

Europe is certainly becoming an increasingly pressing issue within the Tory party and nationally.

Senior ministers including Michael Gove have now openly talked about leaving the EU if powers cannot be brought back to Britain.

The Prime Minister wants to settle the question by setting out a clear strategy for the years ahead, with the prospect of a referendum in the next parliament should the Conservatives win in 2015.

Europe has long been a fault line in the Tory party and Mr Cameron hopes he can keep his party united as he increasingly focuses on winning the next general election.

It also represents an opportunity to steal a march on Labour, whose leader Ed Miliband is very woolly about his own position, and the Lib Dems - led by renowned europhile Nick Clegg.

And significantly, it could help stem the flow of support to UKIP, who advocate total withdrawal from the EU and have been surging in recent opinion polls.

What are Tory eurosceptics pushing for?

There are varying degrees of feeling on the Conservative benches but it has been suggested that a document drawn up by the "Fresh Start" group could become party policy.

This called for:

:: the repatriation of all social and employment law, such as the Working Time Directive;

:: an opt-out from all existing policing and criminal justice measures;

:: an emergency brake on any new legislation affecting financial services;

:: stopping the European Parliament moving between Brussels and Strasbourg.

What is David Cameron's position?

The Prime Minister wants to establish a "fresh settlement" with Brussels and then hold a referendum on it in 2018.

His plan would be to negotiate a looser relationship for Britain while allowing the single currency countries to forge stronger links, thus retaining the common market.

The referendum pledge relies on the Tories winning power outright in 2015 and is unlikely to hold if they have to enter another coalition, which would anger Tory MPs.

Downing Street seems confident the public would vote to stay in the EU if significant powers were returned to the UK.

Mr Cameron insists he wants Britain to remain in the EU but accepts that the "status quo" cannot continue.

Is repatriation of powers realistic?

This is the million-pound question.

Other EU members are unlikely to take kindly to British attempts to pick and choose what it wants to sign up to.

There is a risk that they could call Mr Cameron's bluff and say that Britain should just leave if it no longer wants to play a proper part.

What about pro-Europeans?

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Business Secretary Vince Cable have both warned that tabling a referendum will encourage uncertainty and put off investors, costing much-needed jobs at a time of economic fragility.

Business chiefs including Sir Richard Branson also published a letter earlier this month, urging Mr Cameron not to jeopardise relations with Brussels by pushing for a "wholesale renegotiation" of British membership.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has declared that it wants a "strong British voice in the EU" - a view repeated by Barack Obama on the phone to Mr Cameron last week.

Where do the other parties stand?

Both Labour and the Lib Dems are on tricky territory when it comes to Europe.

Labour leader Ed Miliband was tied in knots last week when asked to outline his position.

He has refused to back a referendum but also suggested he would not overturn the current "referendum lock" which means a vote would have to be held if any more powers are transferred.

He created further confusion by suggesting he too would try to repatriate some powers.

Nick Clegg has called Mr Cameron's plans to bring back powers from Brussels a "false promise wrapped in a Union Jack".

In their manifesto in 2010, the Lib Dems expressed their commitment to an in/out referendum the next time Britain has to sign up to a "fundamental change" in the UK-EU relationship.

But now the Lib Dem leader says holding referendum would be putting "the cart before the horse" because Europe is still reeling from the eurozone crisis.

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Prince Harry: I Killed Taliban In Afghanistan

Harry: I Let Myself Down In Vegas

Updated: 12:18am UK, Tuesday 22 January 2013

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

Prince Harry has spoken for the first time about how he believes he let himself down in Las Vegas last year.

The prince has also launched a scathing attack against the media and their treatment of him and his family, calling them an "unstoppable force."

Speaking at Camp Bastion during his five-month tour, Captain Harry Wales argued his naked antics in America's Sin City were "probably a classic example of me being too much 'Army' and not enough 'prince', it's a simple case of that".

The prince was pictured frolicking in the nude with an unnamed woman, and the photos were published on websites around the world, as well as in The Sun newspaper.

"Back home everyone, all my close friends rallied round me and were great," he added.

"At the end of the day I probably let myself down, I let my family down and let other people down, but I was in a private area and there should have been a certain amount of privacy that one should expect."

But the 28-year-old believes some sections of the media behaved irresponsibly when the naked photographs of him emerged: "The papers knew I was going to Afghan anyway. So the way I was treated by them I don't think was acceptable."

A broken news blackout five years ago ended the prince's first tour to Afghanistan.

This time, a different agreement was reached between the Ministry of Defence and the media, one which sits uncomfortably with the co-pilot gunner.

"I never wanted you guys to be out here but there was an agreement made to invite you out on a deal that you, the media, didn't speculate before my deployment. That's the only reason you guys are out here."

Prince Harry says he also excited about becoming an uncle, but is equally unrelenting about the press' handling of the royal parents-to-be.

"Obviously I'm thrilled for both of them, it's about time and I can't wait to be an uncle," he said.

"I think it's very unfair they were forced to publicise it when they were, but that's just the media for you.

"I'm literally am very, very happy, but I just only hope she and him, but mainly Catherine, gets the necessary protection to allow her, as a mother-to-be, to enjoy the privacy that comes with it. I seriously hope that's going to be able to happen."

The third in line to the throne also accused sections of the press of printing stories that were not true.

"I spoke to them both and didn't send a letter of congratulations like most of the papers said," he said.

"How any of the papers think they know the relationship between myself and my sister-in-law is quite remarkable. But they're wrong as always. But, yeah, I spoke to my brother and her, and they're both very well and very happy, obviously."

Harry also has strong feelings about the opportunities available to him, but not Prince William.

He said: "There is a bit of jealousy and not just because I get to fly this but he'd (William) love to be out here.

"To be honest with you, I don't see why he couldn't. His job out here would be doing Chinook missions, just the same as us.

"No one knows who's in the cockpit, yes he'd get shot at, but, you know, if the guys who are doing the same job as us are being shot at on the ground I don't think there's anything wrong with us being shot as well.

"People back home might have issues with that - but we're not special - the guys out there are, simple as that."

Returning to public life brings with it for Harry a sense of foreboding. His mistrust of the press is firmly entrenched.

"I think it's fairly obvious how far back it goes - to when I was very small," said the prince.

"If there's a story and something's being said about me I want to know what's being said. But all it does is upset me and anger me that people can get away with writing the stuff they do.

"I don't believe there is any such thing as a private life anymore. I'm not going to sit here and whinge.

"Everyone knows about Twitter and the internet. Every single mobile phone has a camera on it now.

"You can't move an inch without someone judging you and I suppose that's just the way life goes.

"It's not helped by media, it's an unstoppable force."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Prince Harry: I Let Myself Down On Vegas Trip

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

Prince Harry has spoken for the first time about how he believes he let himself down in Las Vegas last year.

The prince has also launched a scathing attack against the media and their treatment of him and his family, calling them an "unstoppable force."

Speaking at Camp Bastion during his five-month tour, Captain Harry Wales argued his naked antics in America's Sin City were "probably a classic example of me being too much 'Army' and not enough 'prince', it's a simple case of that".

The prince was pictured frolicking in the nude with an unnamed woman, and the photos were published on websites around the world, as well as in The Sun newspaper.

"Back home everyone, all my close friends rallied round me and were great," he added.

"At the end of the day I probably let myself down, I let my family down and let other people down, but I was in a private area and there should have been a certain amount of privacy that one should expect."

But the 28-year-old believes some sections of the media behaved irresponsibly when the naked photographs of him emerged: "The papers knew I was going to Afghan anyway. So the way I was treated by them I don't think was acceptable."

A broken news blackout five years ago ended the prince's first tour to Afghanistan.

Sections of the media printed naked pictures of Harry when he was in Vegas

This time, a different agreement was reached between the Ministry of Defence and the media, one which sits uncomfortably with the co-pilot gunner.

"I never wanted you guys to be out here but there was an agreement made to invite you out on a deal that you, the media, didn't speculate before my deployment. That's the only reason you guys are out here."

Prince Harry says he also excited about becoming an uncle, but is equally unrelenting about the press' handling of the royal parents-to-be.

"Obviously I'm thrilled for both of them, it's about time and I can't wait to be an uncle," he said.

"I think it's very unfair they were forced to publicise it when they were, but that's just the media for you.

"I'm literally am very, very happy, but I just only hope she and him, but mainly Catherine, gets the necessary protection to allow her, as a mother-to-be, to enjoy the privacy that comes with it. I seriously hope that's going to be able to happen."

The third in line to the throne also accused sections of the press of printing stories that were not true.

"I spoke to them both and didn't send a letter of congratulations like most of the papers said," he said.

"How any of the papers think they know the relationship between myself and my sister-in-law is quite remarkable. But they're wrong as always. But, yeah, I spoke to my brother and her, and they're both very well and very happy, obviously."

Harry also has strong feelings about the opportunities available to him, but not Prince William.

He said: "There is a bit of jealousy and not just because I get to fly this but he'd (William) love to be out here.

Harry's second tour of Afghanistan came to an end on Monday

"To be honest with you, I don't see why he couldn't. His job out here would be doing Chinook missions, just the same as us.

"No one knows who's in the cockpit, yes he'd get shot at, but, you know, if the guys who are doing the same job as us are being shot at on the ground I don't think there's anything wrong with us being shot as well.

"People back home might have issues with that - but we're not special - the guys out there are, simple as that."

Returning to public life brings with it for Harry a sense of foreboding. His mistrust of the press is firmly entrenched.

"I think it's fairly obvious how far back it goes - to when I was very small," said the prince.

"If there's a story and something's being said about me I want to know what's being said. But all it does is upset me and anger me that people can get away with writing the stuff they do.

"I don't believe there is any such thing as a private life anymore. I'm not going to sit here and whinge.

"Everyone knows about Twitter and the internet. Every single mobile phone has a camera on it now.

"You can't move an inch without someone judging you and I suppose that's just the way life goes.

"It's not helped by media, it's an unstoppable force."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Algeria: Freed Brit Hostage Describes Ordeal

A freed British hostage has told Sky News how he fled the Algerian gas complex through a fence in a 'Great Escape' style scene.

BP employee Alan Wright spent days hidden in a pitch-black room with colleagues at the In Amenas plant after hearing gunfire.

Eventually, the 30 or so workers in the building decided to cut through a perimeter fence and make a break for it.

He said: "It was like the Great Escape. We all climbed through the fence and ran into the desert as gunfire chattered behind us as the fighting went on."

But he said feared he had made the "biggest mistake" of his life when the troops who intercepted them in the desert split them into ex-pats and locals - and he assumed they had fallen into the hands of the terrorists.

The siege happened at a gas complex in Algeria

"You just think 'that's it'. If you'd been captured there was pretty much no escape from them, and you know it's going to take a miracle to get you out."

The ordeal began on Wednesday morning, when he and colleagues locked themselves in their office after hearing gunshots.

The 37-year-old health and safety adviser, from Portsoy, Scotland, told Sky's James Matthew's that a terrorist attempted to entice the workers out of the room, with a friendly greeting.

"At around about 9.30am we heard … a very friendly national voice say 'good morning' in Arabic, and we're certain that was the terrorists coming in and trying to lull people into coming out friendly.

"That was the first moment that you thought 'we're in big trouble here'."

Images have emerged of some of the hostages surrendering

For the next nine hours they could hear sporadic gunfire, which stopped at about 11pm.

When the sound of loud gunfire resumed, he feared the worst.

"We just assumed we were surrounded, and (the terrorists) were waiting, just going round and gathering people up."

Along with three other workers, he decided to move to another room where they closed the blinds, leaving them in total darkness for three days.

Eventually, Algerian employees in another room convinced them that no-one was coming to get them, and they cut the fence and made their daring break for it.

Mr Wright disguised himself as a local, and made his escape.

He said it was important not to run and attract attention to themselves.

"You know these guys are behind you and if they see you, you don't know if they're going to be shooting at you, you just don't know where everybody is.

"There was a mixture of relief, but you've no idea of what is out there.

"We got about a kilometre into the desert and you can see the military point with eight or nine military personnel with guns pointing into our spot but also that they had identified us and were making tracks to come our way.

"Then you think 'Is it the terrorists or is it the gendarmes?'"

"And for 20 minutes you're still not sure - we're down on your hands and knees with our hands up."

When the group was split into Algerians and ex-pats, Mr Wright thought they had walked into the hands of the terrorists.

He said: "You're thinking you've just made the biggest mistake of your life.

"That was a horrible, horrible thing, that you have escaped then into the hands of the terrorists, or so we thought.

"You fear the worst, you can't put into words how bad you feel, it's something you never want to go through again."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Algeria Crisis: Dead British Hostage Named

A British hostage killed in the terrorist attack on an Algerian gas plant has been named as 46-year-old Paul Morgan.

Mr Morgan, who is from Liverpool, is the first of the four Britons confirmed dead to be named by the Foreign Office since the crisis drew to a bloody end on Saturday.

His family paid tribute to him in a statement written by his 65-year-old mother, Marianne, and 36-year-old partner, Emma Steele.

"Paul was a true gentleman, a family man, he very much loved his partner Emma, his mum, brother and sister, of who he was very proud. he loved life and lived it to the full.

"He was a professional man proud to do the job he did and died doing the job he loved .

"We are so proud of what he achieved in his life. We are devastated by Paul's death and he will be truly missed."

Mr Morgan loved his work at the In Amenas gas plant

David Cameron has said that three other Britons and on British resident are also feared dead after the stand-off in the Sahara desert.

The over all death toll stands at 81, according to Algerian security sources, with 107 foreign workers and 685 local employees released.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said 22 British nationals had survived the four-day siege at the In Amenas gas plant and were already back in the UK.

One Survivor, Alan Wright, has spoken to Sky News about how he made a "Great Escape" style break, making a hole in a perimeter fence.

Alann Wright told Sky News how he feared he would be captured as he escaped

Mr Cameron called the attack "appalling" and warned there are "decades" of terrorist struggle ahead.

He said: "I know the whole country will want to join me in sending our sympathies and condolences to the families who have undergone an absolutely dreadful ordeal, and now face life without these very precious loved ones."

He described the attack as a "stark reminder" of the continuing terrorist threat and vowed to use Britain's chairmanship of the G8 to ensure that it was at the top of the international agenda.

"This is a global threat and it will require a global response. It will require a response that is about years, even decades, rather than months," he said.

"It requires a response that is patient and painstaking, that is tough but also intelligent, but above all has an absolutely iron resolve and that is what we will deliver over these coming years."

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said two Scots, or people with immediate family connections in Scotland, are believed to have been killed.

Pictures have been released showing the ordeal faced by hostages

Carlos Estrada, a Colombian man who lived in London with his family and worked for BP, has been confirmed dead by President Juan Manuel Santos.

At least one American died before Saturday's assault, and Japanese engineering firm JGC Corp said 10 of its Japanese and seven of its foreign workers are still unaccounted for.

Despite the major loss of life, Mr Cameron refused to criticise Algeria's handling of the crisis.

"The responsibility for these deaths lies squarely with the terrorists who launched these vicious and cowardly attacks," he said.

"When you are dealing with a terrorist incident on this scale with up to 30 terrorists it is extremely difficult to respond and get this right in every respect."

He added: "What we face is an extremist, Islamist, al Qaeda-linked terrorist group. Just as we had to deal with that in Pakistan and in Afghanistan so the world needs to come together to deal with this threat in north Africa."

Hostages were forced to kneel in the desert

The kidnappers are part of the Masked Brigade - a terrorist splinter group led by the veteran jihadist, Mokhtar Belmokhtar, which broke away from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

They initially claimed the attack was in retaliation for the French military intervention in neighbouring Mali.

It was subsequently reported that they were demanding the release of two terrorists held in the US, including 1993 World Trade Centre bombing mastermind Omar Abdel Rahman, in return for the release of two US captives.

Belmokhtar has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack and called on France to halt air strikes in Mali.

Mauritanian news website Sahara Media said Belmokhtar declared in a video: "We in al Qaeda announce this blessed operation."

The video was not shown and it is not immediately possible to verify the information.

The Mauritanian news agency, ANI, also carried a statement apparently from the group which warned further strikes on nations involved in combating the Mali rebels.

It said: "We remind our Muslim brothers of the need to clear out from sites run by foreign companies, especially the French ones, to save their lives."

The terrorist leader has warned of more attacks on Western interests

The private Algerian television channel Ennahar has reported that Algerian troops searching the gas plant for bodies have also found five of the kidnappers, still alive.

The drama started on Wednesday when a group of around 30 heavily-armed militants mounted a dawn raid on the plant which is close to the Libyan border.

They seized hostages from among the 700 Algerian and foreign workers at the site. Two members of staff, including one Briton, died in the initial assault.

Algerian special forces mounted an operation to take back the plant 24 hours later, without informing any other governments in advance.

The Algerians insisted later that they had to act due to fears that the militants were about to flee into the desert, taking hostages with them.

By Friday, it was being claimed that around 100 foreigners - from a total of 132 - and 573 Algerians had been freed.

On Saturday, Algerian troops launched a final assault on the site and brought the stand-off to a bloody conclusion.

The state news agency, APS, reported that the terrorists had executed seven of the remaining hostages before they themselves were killed.

Rescued hostages are carried away from the plant

Troops later found an arsenal of six machine guns, 21 rifles, two shotguns, two 60mm mortars with shells, six 60mm missiles with launchers, two rocket-propelled grenades with eight rockets and 10 grenades in explosive belts.

The terrorists also booby-trapped the sprawling plant with explosives before the last shoot-out.

Algeria's interior ministry has strongly defended the rescue operation.

"To avoid a bloody turn of events in response to the extreme danger of the situation, the army's special forces launched an intervention with efficiency and professionalism to neutralise the terrorist groups that were first trying to flee with the hostages and then blow up the gas facilities," it said in a statement.

Algeria has fought its own Islamist rebellion since the 1990s, elements of which later declared allegiance to al Qaeda and then set up new groups in the poorly patrolled wastes of the Sahara, where they flourished.

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Britain's Big Freeze Here To Stay

Avalanche In Scottish Highlands

Updated: 10:10pm UK, Saturday 19 January 2013

Four people have been killed and a woman is seriously hurt after a group of six climbers were caught up in an avalanche in the Scottish Highlands.

Emergency services were alerted to the accident on Bidean Nam Bian, in Glencoe, at about 2pm and a major search operation involving two mountain rescue teams and police dogs was launched.

Northern Constabulary said four people, two men and two women, were found and have since been pronounced dead.

One male climber, who stayed with the teams to help with the search, is safe and well while a woman is in a serious condition in Belford hospital in Fort William.

John Grieve, leader of Glencoe mountain rescue team, which co-ordinated the search, said the alarm was initially raised by two climbers - who were not part of the group of six - when they discovered one of the casualties lying in the snow.

But, soon after, police were contacted by the male survivor from the climbing party, who told them more people were missing.

Mr Grieve, who is in Spain and was not part of the search, said: "The first call to police was from two other people who had been on the mountain, they found someone lying next to where they were climbing.

"So, the assumption was that it was just one casualty, but it became clear that there were others missing when they heard from the man who is safe."

He said the dead climbers were located using a technique called "probing", where a metal stick is pushed into the snow.

"I'm not sure how deeply buried they were, but using that technique would suggest it was more than a metre," Mr Grieve said.

Police said they are making efforts to identify the victims and to contact their next of kin.

All of the missing climbers were located within four hours of the alarm being raised.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is an appalling tragedy and our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been lost.

"To lose four people from a party of six is truly devastating."

Bidean Nam Bian is a munro - a mountain with a height in excess of 3,000ft - with a number of different climbs.

Anyone who is concerned about relatives climbing in the area are advised to contact Northern Constabulary's control room on 01463 715555.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Algeria Hostage Crisis Ends, Brits Feared Dead

Five British nationals and a UK resident are believed dead or missing after the Algeria hostage crisis reached a violent and bloody climax.

Algerian special forces mounted a "final assault" on the last Islamist militants holding out at the remote BP gas plant at In Amenas on Saturday, bringing to an end the four-day stand-off in the desert.

Afterwards the Algerian interior ministry reported that, in all, 23 hostages and all 32 terrorists had died, while 107 foreign workers and 685 local employees had been released.

The Algerian authorities were working to dismantle explosives left by the terrorists who booby-trapped the sprawling plant before the final shoot-out.

The interior ministry strongly defended the rescue operation, despite criticism of the high death toll.

Freed British hostages Peter (left) and Alan (right). No surnames available

"To avoid a bloody turn of events in response to the extreme danger of the situation, the army's special forces launched an intervention with efficiency and professionalism to neutralise the terrorist groups that were first trying to flee with the hostages and then blow up the gas facilities," it said in a statement.

It said that troops had recovered an arsenal of six machine guns, 21 rifles, two shotguns, two 60mm mortars with shells, six 60mm missiles with launchers, two rocket-propelled grenades with eight rockets and 10 grenades in explosive belts.

The state news agency, APS, reported that the terrorists had killed seven of the hostages they were still holding before they were killed themselves by the special forces.

David Cameron said he had spoken to Algerian prime minister Abdelmalek Sellal, who confirmed that the military operation against the terrorists was "effectively ended".

In a statement, the Prime Minister added: "It is our priority now to get people home as quickly as possible and to look after the survivors. Many are already home or on their way back.

Algerian police escort freed Norwegian hostage Oddvar Birkedal

"Let me be clear. There is no justification for taking innocent life in this way.

"Our determination is stronger than ever to work with allies right around the world to root out and defeat this terrorist scourge and those who encourage it."

Foreign Secretary William Hague said that on the basis of the available information they believed five British nationals and a UK resident were either "deceased or unaccounted for" - in addition to the Briton killed on the opening day of the terrorist attack.

He insisted that it was too early to come to any judgement about the Algerian operation.

"I don't want to at this stage enter into criticism or judgement because there will be a lot to be learned yet about this operation," he said.

Japan's Prime Minister tells reporters 10 Japanese workers remain missing

In contrast, French president Francois Hollande gave his immediate backing to Algeria's tough tactics, saying they were "the most adapted response to the crisiss".

Several hours after the troops stormed the gas plant, President Barack Obama said the US was seeking from Algerian authorities a fuller understanding of what took place, but added that "the blame for this tragedy rests with the terrorists who carried it out".

Meanwhile, BP chief executive Bob Dudley said the company was "unable to confirm the location or situation" of four employees at In Amenas and had "grave fears" that they are likely to have suffered fatalities.

The situation at the plant remains unclear and Mr Dudley said that it could be some time before they establish exactly what happened. Two BP employees suffered injuries although they are not life-threatening.

"Our focus remains on our colleagues, who we have not yet been able to locate, and on supporting their families through a time of agonising uncertainty," he said.

An Algerian army truck in a street of In Amenas, near the gas plant

He said 25 of the 56 BP workers in Algeria at the time of the attack have now left in a "staged process" of withdrawing all non-essential staff from the country.

The kidnappers, who call themselves 'Those Who Sign In Blood', had earlier told a Mauritanian news agency they were in contact with that they were holding seven foreigners: one British, three Belgians, two Americans and one Japanese.

The drama began on Wednesday when a group of about 30 heavily-armed militants mounted a dawn raid at the plant close to the Libyan border, seizing hostages from among the 700 Algerian and foreign workers at the site. Two workers, including one Briton, died in the initial assault.

The following day, Algerian special forces mounted an operation to take back the plant, to the initial dismay of the British and other governments who were not notified in advance despite offering assistance to the Algerian authorities.

The Algerians, however, insisted that they had to act immediately amid fears that the militants were about to flee into the desert, taking hostages with them.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond with US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta

By Friday it was reported that about 100 foreigners, from a total of 132, and 573 Algerians were freed, with a "provisional" figure of 12 hostages and 18 militants killed in the fighting, although the kidnappers claimed 35 foreigners died.

But it was also clear that a group of militants, still holding hostages, was continuing to hold out.

The kidnappers, part of the Masked Brigade - a terrorist splinter group led by the veteran jihadist, Mokhtar Belmokhtar, which broke away from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb - initially claimed the attack was in retaliation for the French military intervention in neighbouring Mali.

It was subsequently reported that they were demanding the release of two terrorists held in the US, including 1993 World Trade Centre bombing mastermind Omar Abdel Rahman, in return for the release of two US captives.

The plant at In Amenas is jointly operated by BP, Norwegian company Statoil and Algerian state oil company Sonatrach.

Algerian police guard the entrance of a hospital located near the gas plant

As freed hostages began to leave the plant, accounts emerged of their horrific treatment at the hands of the kidnappers.

One Algerian worker, who gave his name only as Chabane, described how from his hiding place he heard the militants speaking among themselves with Libyan, Egyptian and Tunisian accents. At one point, he said, they caught a Briton.

"They threatened him until he called out in English to his friends, telling them 'Come out, come out. They're not going to kill you. They're looking for the Americans'," he said.

"A few minutes later they blew him away."

The family of British survivor Darren Matthews, from Saltburn-by-the-Sea in Cleveland, expressed their relief that he had escaped unhurt.

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