Lord Carey Attacks David Cameron On Religion

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister David Cameron.

In an article for the Daily Mail, Lord Carey says many Christians doubt the PM's "sincerity" when he pledges to protect their religious freedoms and accuses ministers of "aiding and abetting" discrimination against believers.

He points to Government plans to legalise gay marriage as evidence of an "aggressive secularist and relativist approach" and argues that Mr Cameron has fed Christian "anxieties" more than "any other recent political leader".

Lord Carey also says a new poll suggesting that more than two-thirds of Christians feel they are now part of a "persecuted minority" shows the Government must do more to demonstrate its commitment to stand up for faith.

The ComRes poll commissioned by the Coalition for Marriage also found more than half of Christians who backed the Conservatives in 2010 say they will "definitely not" vote for the party in 2015.

Lord Carey expresses alarm about Labour MP Chris Bryant's campaign to turn the 700-year-old Parliamentary chapel of St Mary Undercroft into a multi-faith prayer room so that gay couples can get married there.

Lord Carey slammed Chris Bryant's campaign for gay marriages in Parliament

But he also directly calls into question the Prime Minister's actions, saying: "I like David Cameron and believe he is genuinely sincere in his desire to make Britain a generous nation where we care for one another and where people of faith may exercise their beliefs fully.

"But it was a bit rich to hear that the Prime Minister has told religious leaders religious leaders that they should 'stand up and oppose aggressive secularisation' when it seems that his Government is aiding and abetting this aggression every step of the way.

"At his pre-Easter Downing Street reception for faith leaders, he said that he supported Christians' right to practise their faith. Yet many Christians doubt his sincerity.

"According to a new ComRes poll more than two thirds of Christians feel that they are part of a 'persecuted minority'. Their fears may be exaggerated because few in the UK are actually persecuted, but the Prime Minister has done more than any other recent political leader to feed these anxieties.

"He seems to have forgotten in spite of his oft-repeated support for the right of Christians to wear the cross, that lawyers acting for the coalition argued only months ago in the Strasbourg court that those sacked for wearing a cross against their employer's wishes should simply get another job."

The new poll suggests continuing resentment over legalising same-sex unions, even though there is special protection for the Church of England in the law, and Lord Carey's successor Justin Welby has softened the Church's stance on the issue.

Two thirds of those polled said they believed allowing same sex unions was an attempt to make the Conservative Party look trendy.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has vowed to protect religion

The poll comes after a series of controversial cases between Christians and employers over their rights to express their faith in the workplace.

Recent cases include Adrian Smith, a Trafford housing manager who says he was demoted and had his pay docked 40% after questioning the Government's plans for same sex marriage and Reverend Brian Ross who was sacked as the Chaplain of Strathclyde Police, apparently because his support for traditional marriage did not fit with the force's equality and diversity policies.

In another case, graphic designer Jamie Haxby is suing a hotel after claiming he was turned down for a job because he is a Christian.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles insists that unlike New Labour 'we do do God' and has agreed freedom of religion has been undermined.

He has vowed to change the law if necessary to stop people being taken to task for wearing a cross or a rosary, and says council should not try to ban prayers before meetings.

But the march of secularism means Britain will no longer be a Christian country within just 20 years, according to official research by the House of Commons library.

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North Korea Says 'We Are At War With South'

North Korea says it has entered a "state of war" with South Korea and will deal with "all matters" accordingly.

"As of now, inter-Korea relations enter a state of war and all matters between the two Koreas will be handled according to wartime protocol," the North said in a statement broadcast by the official Korean Central News Agency.

"The long-standing situation of the Korean peninsula being neither at peace nor at war is finally over."

The statement also warned that any military provocation near the North-South land or sea border would result "in a full-scale conflict and a nuclear war".

The two Koreas have always technically remained at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.

Earlier this month, the North said it was ripping up the armistice and other bilateral peace pacts signed with the South in protest against South Korea-US joint military exercises.

South Korea's defence ministry said in a statement: "This is not really a new threat - just part of a series of provocative threats."

It added that "no particular troop movement" had been observed along the border.

The US said it was taking the new threat "seriously" but said it was following a familiar pattern.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un

"We've seen reports of a new and unconstructive statement from North Korea. We take these threats seriously and remain in close contact with our South Korean allies," said Caitlin Hayden, spokeswoman for the National Security Council.

Most analysts still believe this will remain a rhetorical rather than a physical battle, but the situation has now become so volatile that any slight miscalculation carries the potential for rapid escalation.

Sky's Asia Correspondent Mark Stone said: "It is more rhetoric by North Korea until they actually do something. Wars tend to begin with bangs not announcements on state news agencies, so this is Mr Kim pushing the rhetoric up another level.

"The problem is, he hasn't got any more levels to go to after this other than actual war - that is the big worry and the big unknown. Does his belligerence have a limit or not?

"The assumption, and hope, is that he will stop at the eleventh hour but what if he doesn't? That is why the Americans, the South Koreans, the Japanese and, more quietly, the Chinese too are all taking it very seriously."

Yesterday, both China and Russia asked for all sides to co-operate to prevent the situation worsening, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voicing particular concern.

"We can simply see the situation getting out of control, it would spiral down into a vicious circle," Mr Lavrov told journalists.

His warning came after the North's leader Kim Jong-Un ordered missile units to prepare to strike US mainland and military bases, vowing to "settle accounts" after US stealth bombers flew over the South.

The US has used B-2 bombers as a 'deterrence' measure in the region

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel stressed that Washington would not be cowed by Pyongyang's threats and stood ready to respond to "any eventuality".

The standoff has its roots in the North's successful long-range rocket launch in December and the third nuclear test it carried out in February.

Both events drew UN sanctions that incensed Pyongyang, which then switched the focus of its anger to the annual joint South Korea-US military drills.

As tensions escalated, Washington has maintained a notably assertive stance, publicising its use of nuclear-capable B-52s and B-2 stealth bombers.

The long-distance deployment of both sets of aircraft out of bases in Guam and the US mainland were intended as a clear signal of US commitment to defending the South against any act of aggression.

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Savile Police Arrest 82-Year-Old Man

An 82-year-old man from Berkshire has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences by officers from Operation Yewtree, the Metropolitan Police have said.

The pensioner is one of 11 people arrested so far as part of investigations into alleged offending by former disc jockey Jimmy Savile and "others".

A Scotland Yard spokesman said last night that the man, who has not been named, was interviewed under caution on November 29 last year, five days after a search warrant was executed at an address in Berkshire.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said he was bailed to a date in May, pending further inquiries.

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North Korea Rockets 'Ready To Hit US Bases'

North Korea's leader has told rocket units to be on standby for an attack on US bases, according to state media.

The country's KCNA news agency said Kim Jong-Un had signed off on the order to train sights on American bases in South Korea and the Pacific after a midnight meeting with top generals.

It comes after two American stealth bombers flew over South Korea in a show of force to Pyongyang, following an escalation of rhetoric from the North's young leader.

The two nuclear-capable B-2 planes flew a 13,000-mile round trip from an air base in Missouri, dropping a dummy bomb on a target range in the South.

The US uses B-2 bombers as a 'deterrence' measure in the region

The planes were taking part in a joint South Korea-US military exercise that has inflamed tensions with Pyongyang, which earlier this month threatened to unleash an "all-out war" backed by nuclear weapons.

"This .... demonstrates the United States' ability to conduct long range, precision strikes quickly and at will," the US military said in a statement.

"The B-2 bomber is an important element of America's enduring and robust extended deterrence capability in the Asia-Pacific region."

KCNA reported that Mr Kim had "judged the time has come to settle accounts with the US imperialists in view of the prevailing situation".

The agency said: "He finally signed the plan on technical preparations of strategic rockets of the KPA, ordering them to be standby for fire so that they may strike any time the US mainland, its military bases in the operational theatres in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam, and those in South Korea."

The US has denied the exercise was provocative but said it was "committed to a pathway to peace" and "prepared to deal with any eventuality" in the region.

Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel and General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the B-2 bombers were a message intended more for allies than Pyongyang.

"The North Koreans have to understand that what they're doing is very dangerous," Mr Hagel said.

"I don't think we're doing anything extraordinary or provocative or out of the ... orbit of what nations do to protect their own interests."

The US, he added, must make it clear to South Korea, Japan and other allies in the region that "these provocations by the North are taken by us very seriously, and we'll respond to that".

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Dog Attack: 'No Warnings' Before Jade Killed

There were no previous complaints about dangerous dogs at a house where a 14-year-old girl is thought to have been killed by a pack of "aggressive and out-of-control" dogs, police said.

Jade Lomas-Anderson's body was discovered with wounds consistent with a dog attack shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, following reports she was unconscious.

Jade was described as 'shy' by friends (Pic: Facebook tribute page)

Superintendent Mark Kenny of Greater Manchester Police said: "The most likely scenario is that Jade was attacked by four dogs, that is still part and parcel of the investigation. That clearly is the most likely scenario of what's happened but we're looking obviously at all options."

He said the attack would have happened between 1pm and 2pm.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place later.

Hundreds of lanterns are released Wednesday night at Jade's school

The teenager was visiting the house in Chaucer Grove, Atherton, near Wigan, and was alone with the dogs, believed to include two bull mastiffs and two Staffordshire bull terriers.

Four animals were shot dead by police marksmen and a fifth was contained.

Supt Kenny said: "We have had no contact or reports, Greater Manchester Police, regarding reports for example of dangerous dogs at this location. We've certainly not had any incidents here.

Two dogs were believed to be Staffordshire bull terriers (file picture)

"This is the first incident of this nature we have attended at this location."

Officers have spoken to the owner of the dogs, the owner's family and neighbours since Jade was found.

Friends have paid tribute to the "quiet" and "timid" teenager, who is thought to have returned to the property from the shops with a meat pie when she was attacked.

Flowers were laid at the backyard where Jade was attacked. A sign on the gate read: "Beware of the Dog."

Locals said Jade was there to see a friend, Kimberley Concannon, 16, who lives there with her twin Catrina and mother Beverley Concannon.

One 15-year-old said of Jade: "She goes to my school in the year below.

"She's shy, quite timid, if you didn't know her you wouldn't recognise her around and about. It's horrible what's happened.

"She picks her little sister up Sienna from school, every day and walks past my house.

"She had a pie in her hand and has gone to bite it, she moved the pie and the dog's gone for her throat and then they have all gone for her."

Another friend said the dogs at the house were large and aggressive animals.

Friends are said to be 'deeply shocked' (Pic: Facebook tribute page)

"Every time you walk past the house they would be barking and barking and going mad," she said. "You would jump out of your skin."

Jade was a pupil at Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley, which open to help pupils affected by the death.

Headteacher Janet Garretts said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened by Jade's tragic death. She had only been a pupil at the school since the summer but had made a real impact in that short time.

"Jade was a lively student who always had a smile on her face. She loved music and dance and was a regular at our after school dancing club.

"At what turned out to be her last day at school, Jade was given a progress report by her teachers and told everyone was delighted with the progress she was making."

More than 11,000 people joined a Facebook group created to pay tribute to Jade, including the aunt of a four-year-old boy who was killed by a banned breed of dog.

A policeman stands guard outside the house in Atherton, near Wigan

John-Paul Massey died at his grandmother's house in Liverpool after suffering "massive injuries" inflicted by a pitbull.

Tricia Massey wrote on Jade's page: "Such a tragic thing to happen. I know what your poor family must be going through and how they are feeling, I lost my four-year-old nephew three years ago.

"He was killed by a dangerous dog in Liverpool. Something needs to be done about these aggressive animals.

"Sleep tight Jade, I'm sure my John-Paul will look after you."

Natasha Hunt posted: "RIP my beautiful baby girl! Don't know what I'm going do without you!

"Love you loads, you will never be forgotten, you will always be in my heart."

Norman Bradbury, a local councillor, told Sky News the whole community was in shock.

He said: "We need to establish what occurred with this horrible incident and how it an be avoided in future but we have to wait for the police to investigate what happened, how Jade died and the circumstances."

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Parents Of Suicide Teen Call For Law Reform

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

The parents of a 17-year-old who were unaware he had been arrested for drink driving before he killed himself are calling for a change in the law.

Nick and Jane Lawton were not told their son, Joseph, had been held by police or that he had spent a night in a cell.

They say it is an anomaly in the law that 17-year-olds are treated as adults when arrested but as children if they are charged.

Joseph shot himself after he was arrested for drink driving

Being treated as adults means police do not have to tell parents of 17-year-olds they have been arrested or offer them the opportunity to have an adult present during interviews.

Joseph Lawton had just passed his driving test when he went to a party near his home in Disley, near Stockport.

He had taken the train but decided to drive back from the station. His parents thought he was staying the night with friends.

His father, Nick, told Sky News: "He made a bad decision and he chose to drive and he was stopped and breathalysed. He failed the breathalyser and he was arrested."

His parents said when he returned home he did not mention what had happened and he had told his friends he had got away with it.

Three nights later, when he was alone at home, he shot himself with a gun from the family farm. His father found him in the lounge. He was the couple's only child.

His mother, Jane, said: "The charge sheet was in front of him telling us that was why he'd done what he did; and that was the first thing that we knew."

Joseph had left notes for his parents, best friend and girlfriend. His father said: "When we read his letters eventually they confirmed it. He just thought that he'd closed the door to his future.

His parents believe he could be alive today if the law had been different

"But when you think that if we'd had a phone call from the police while he was in the police station - one phone call - I'd have been straight down there.

"I would have spoken to him - I would have told him, supported him, told him that it's not the end of everything - 'you're still going to university, you'll still get a job. 'Things might be a little bit more difficult but at the end of the day we'll be able to get through it'.

"But we weren't given that opportunity."

Joseph's mother added: "We firmly believe that if Joe had contacted us, if we'd have been able to speak to him, he'd still be alive today."

The Lawtons are being supported by the parents of Edward Thornber who killed himself aged 17 after he was summoned to court for possessing cannabis worth 50p.

Today the families will hand a 52,000-signature petition in to Downing Street. A judicial review into the issue is ongoing.

Lawyer Shauneene Lambe, who works for the charity Just For Kids Law, told Sky News: "As it stands, at the moment, 17-year-olds are treated as if they are adults when they go to the police station.

"If they are sent to court, if they were charged for example, they would go back to being treated like children in the court system.

"So there's an anomaly within the police station, that we believe should be changed."

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Girl Dies In House With 'Out Of Control' Dogs

A teenager has been found dead in a house in Manchester by police who were confronted by a number of "aggressive and out of control" dogs.

The body of the girl, named locally as Jade Lomas-Anderson, was found at the property in the Atherton area of the city.

Superintendent Mark Kenny, of Greater Manchester Police, said the 14-year-old suffered injuries "consistent with her having been attacked by dogs".

The youngster is believed to have been visiting the house and nobody else was present. Neighbours told Sky News Jade had been visiting a friend's house, and her friend's family owned the dogs.

Jade was reportedly visiting the property to see a friend, Kimberley Concannon, 16, who lives there with her twin Catrina and mother Beverley Concannon. Signs at the front and back of the house warned, "Beware of the Dog."

A floral tribute left outside the address where Jade was found

Armed police officers killed four dogs, while a fifth was securely contained.

A police spokesman said two of the dogs that were put down are thought to have been bull mastiffs and two may have been Staffordshire bull terriers.

Supt Kenny said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the girl who has tragically lost her life. Specialist officers are offering them every support.

"While our enquiries to find out what happened are ongoing, this girl's injuries are consistent with her having been attacked by dogs.

"I understand this is an extremely distressing incident for all concerned, including the community, and we will work hard to establish the full circumstances that led to this tragedy.

"There will be a significant police presence in the area, which will remain this evening. We will be there to carry out an investigation and address any concerns residents may have."

Two of the dogs are thought to have been bull mastiffs, similar to this one

An official statement released by Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called to an address on Chaucer Grove following a report of a teenage girl being seen unconscious, and a number of dogs being out of control."

A post mortem examination to establish how Jade died is expected to take place later tonight. The dogs' remains will also be examined as part of the investigation, police said.

Friends paid tribute to the "quiet" and "timid" teenager, who is thought to have returned to the property from the shops with a meat pie when she was attacked.

One 15-year-old said: "She goes to my school in the year below. "She's dead shy, quite timid, if you didn't know her you wouldn't recognise her around and about. It's horrible what's happened.

"She picks her little sister up Sienna from school, every day and walks past my house.

"Ten minutes after it happened we were talking to the daughter of the dog's owners, Catrina.

"She (Jade) had a pie in her hand and has gone to bite it, she moved the pie and the dog's gone for her throat and then they have all gone for her."

Another friend said the dogs at the house were large and aggressive animals. "Every time you walk past the house they would be barking and barking and going mad," she said.

Police and forensics officers at the scene

"You would jump out of your skin."

Ellie Morris posted the following message on Facebook: "Can't believe this has happened. My best friend, dead, miss you so much baby girl, my princess. Love you soo (sic) much, can't believe this has happened."

She added: "You always called me your little sister, told me you will be there for me through thick&thin? love you baby girl, thinking of you, R.I.P Jade Anderson Love youuuuuuu???"

Elaine Elam wrote: "So so sad for a young life to be taken so brutally away. R.I.P Jade..my thoughts are with your family and friends.xx"

And @chrisshorrock tweeted: "Absolutely terrible news; so very sad. Heart goes out to her. RIP Jade Lomas-Anderson, safe journey to heaven."

Seven people, including five children, have been killed by dogs in homes since 2007, according to a report published last month by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

It said the NHS spends more than £3m a year treating severe dog attack injuries and claimed current legislation had "comprehensively failed" to tackle irresponsible dog ownership.

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David Miliband 'To Stand Down As Labour MP'

'Brains' Bids Farewell To Westminster

Updated: 1:22am UK, Wednesday 27 March 2013

David Miliband was the golden boy of New Labour for so long that it began to seem inevitable he would one day lead the party.

Even after the hot favourite had the crown stunningly snatched from his grasp by his little brother and declined to join his top team, many refused to rule it out.

But now one of the last remaining standard bearers of the Blairite cause is reported to be taking his leave not only of Parliament, but of the country.

For more than two years since the upset in the contest to succeed Gordon Brown which convulsed family relations as much as the party, Mr Miliband has remained on the backbenches.

Vacancies in a succession of high-profile global roles came and went - ambassador to the US, head of the IMF - without tempting the former foreign secretary from representing South Shields.

So with Ed consistently holding the fraternal door open to a top-team return, talk at Westminster was more about which role he would bestow on him than whether the comeback was on.

All the more surprise then that he seeks to end the family feud "soap opera" not by joining the cast but by rolling the credits on his once-glittering political career.

Now the theme tune being hummed by Westminster wags is that of Thunderbirds as the man dubbed "Brains" heads off to join International Rescue in New York.

The nickname was bestowed on him by Mr Blair's spin doctor Alastair Campbell for his powerful intellect and mastery of policy detail as a key adviser shaping the party's agenda.

Parachuted into the safe seat of South Shields shortly before the 2001 election, he was a minister within a year and joined the Cabinet in 2005.

When his former mentor quit 10 Downing Street in 2007, Mr Miliband consulted Mr Blair over whether he should challenge Gordon Brown for the succession.

But in the first of several missed opportunities he eventually decided to hold back from what would have been a bruising - and possibly fruitless - battle.

His appointment as the youngest foreign secretary for 30 years reflected Mr Brown's determination to mend fences with the Blairites and include talent from all sides of the party.

But doubts over his commitment to Brown were sparked by an article in 2008 in which he discussed the future of Labour without once mentioning the prime minister.

Widely perceived as disloyal, it triggered calls for his dismissal and meant all eyes were on him at the subsequent party conference in Manchester.

He appeared to revel in the attention, memorably posing for pictures with a banana.

But he did not mount a challenge, using his conference speech instead to hail Mr Brown's leadership - sparking the first of a spate of accusations of "bottling it".

How he may have rued those missed opportunities when Ed, four years his junior and who followed closely in his career footsteps, harnessed the voting power of the unions to overtake him in 2010.

Their parents were Marxist historian Ralph Miliband and his academic wife Marion and David went to comprehensive schools in London and Leeds.

He studied politics, philosophy and economics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford and in 1988 won a Kennedy Scholarship for a masters' degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Mr Miliband worked for the centre-left IPPR think-tank before becoming secretary of Labour leader John Smith's Commission on Social Justice, looking at welfare policy.

From 1994 to 1997 he was Mr Blair's head of policy in opposition and headed the Number 10 Policy Unit throughout Labour's first term after the 1997 landslide.

He is married to American violinist Louise Shackelton and the couple have two sons Isaac and Jacob - adopted from her native US after years of unsuccessful IVF treatment.

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Snow: Thousands Without Power Amid Warnings

Thousands of people in the west of Scotland are spending a fourth night without power after two electricity pylons were toppled by sheets of ice and snow.

Ice has packed onto power lines, causing them to buckle under the weight, and forecasters have warned the wintry weather is set to continue across large parts of the UK.

A Met Office warning stated: "Bitterly cold easterly winds will persist this week, bringing snow showers to north-east England and light snow flurries across other areas of England."

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) said 3,300 customers in Kintyre, Argyll, and on the Isle of Arran would remain cut off overnight.

This number is down from 5,000 earlier on Monday as around 400 engineers continue their efforts to restore supplies, it said.

A man walks along a snow drenched road in Leeds, Yorkshire

The provider said it was the first time in the company's history that two of its metal pylons have come down. It said the last time a pylon was felled by severe weather was in 1987, in the north of Scotland.

The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry between the mainland and Arran was laden with engineering support to be deployed in the island.

Sky's Scotland Correspondent, James Matthews, said: "Lorries carried generators and fresh telegraph poles. There was also a small fleet of outdoor catering vans which had been drafted off duty at commercial public events to come and supply islanders running short of supplies."

Northern Ireland Electricity said it expected to reconnect power all its customers on Monday night after tens of thousands were cut off a few days ago.  

A motorist drives past snow covered trees near Dundrod in County Antrim

Ice and snow warnings are in place for many areas of the UK as the freezing conditions continue to bring disruption to the roads.

The AA said its patrols have faced a "winter war zone" - attending more than 1,100 call-outs to people either stuck in snow, ice or flood water since Thursday, including more than 150 on Monday.

By 5pm, it said it had attended around 12,500 breakdowns nationwide, peaking at around 1,700 every hour. It said it expected to exceed 16,000 call-outs for the day, compared with around 10,500 on an average Monday.

Some patrols had to fight their way to customers through snowdrifts higher than their rescue vehicles and often had to move abandoned cars to get to stranded people.

Snowdrifts - up to 15ft deep in some places - and abandoned vehicles also prevented energy companies from reaching some areas to restore power.

An abandoned car on the side of the road in the Briercliffe area of Burnley

The Department for Transport has warned motorists to take precautions and only set off from home if they have checked the latest travel conditions.

A spokesman said: "The unseasonal weather is affecting transport networks. Our staff and other transport operators are working tirelessly around the clock to keep roads open, and keep other services running."

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the public to be aware of snow showers that will continue to affects parts of central and eastern Scotland, north-east England and Northern Ireland overnight and into Tuesday morning.

There could be 1-2cm in places and up to 5cm on hills. Forecasters have also put out a yellow warning of ice, urging drivers to take extra care on the roads, with eastern parts of Northern Ireland at particular risk, especially where melted snow refreezes.

People clearing the road to access their homes in Cargan, Northern Ireland

Farmers - yet to recover from the disastrously sodden summer of 2012 - have said the Arctic weather has come at the worst possible time.

Blizzard conditions are claiming the lives of newborn lambs, affecting spring crops and forcing families to work all hours to try to keep stranded stock alive, according to the National Union of Farmers (NFU).

And the severe weather and bitterly cold temperatures are set to continue across most parts of the country right up until the weekend, forecasters have said.

This could mean the first white Easter in five years, as the nation enters British summertime.

The Met Office - which has extended its level 3 cold weather alert until Friday - has said there is a 100% chance the unseasonal cold snap will continue to keep large parts of Britain frozen for the rest of the week.

It is a marked contrast to the warm spring weather the nation enjoyed this time last year.

Brighton beach - this time last year compared to this weekend

On March 24, 2012, sun-seekers flocked to Brighton to bask in the sunshine and 18C (64.4F) heat. In comparison, the beach was deserted on Sunday with the temperature at just 2C (35.6F).

In northern England, many cross-Pennine routes remain blocked by drifting snow, including the Snake Pass and Woodhead Pass, between Manchester and South Yorkshire.

Sky News Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said the heavy snow had subsided but added: "As we head towards this Easter weekend, it's going to remain unsettled, In fact, on Good Friday, there's the risk of more widespread snow."

Bookmaker Ladbrokes has cut the odds of snow at Easter to 4/5 after taking a flurry of bets in the past 48 hours.

Forecasters have predicted it could be the coldest March in 50 years. In 1962, average temperatures for the month were 2.8C (37F).

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Berezovsky: Death 'Consistent With Hanging'

What We Know About Berezovsky

Updated: 1:09pm UK, Monday 25 March 2013

The suspicious deaths of a number of Russian exiles who had fallen foul of the regime meant that rumours swirled almost instantly that Boris Berezovsky had been killed. But so far the police have been unable to find any evidence of foul play.

Here's what we do know about Boris Berezovsky:

:: Political Exile

Mr Berezovsky was a key figure in former president Boris Yeltsin's inner circle and was also close to current president Vladimir Putin during his early years in power.

He left Russia in 2000 after a falling out with Mr Putin and became a vocal critic of the Kremlin from London, where he sought political asylum.

But in recent weeks, he is said to have written to Mr Putin suggesting that he could return to Russia, which had frequently sought his extradition on a variety of charges.

On the eve of his death, Mr Berezovsky was quoted as teling a journalist from Forbes Russia: "There is nothing I would like more than to return to Russia. I did not realise Russia meant so much to me I could not live as an emigrant."

He apparently added that he now believed he should never have left Russia and said he no longer wanted to be involved in politics.

The oligarch is believed to have survived a number of assassination attempts, including a bomb attack on his car that decapitated a chauffeur.

However, a radiation scare at his home after his body was found turned out to be a false alarm and the bodyguard who discovered him was the only person at home at the time.

:: Financial Problems

It is thought the former billionaire was facing serious financial difficulties.

He had fought a number of expensive legal battles since 2011 and reports suggest that defeat in a High Court battle with Chelsea FC owner and former business associate Roman Abramovich alone cost him tens of millions of pounds.

After losing the case, Mr Berezovsky told the widow of murdered Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko that he could no longer afford to pay her legal fees ahead of an inquest into her husband's death from radiation poisoning.

Mr Berezovsky also paid out Britain's largest divorce settlement, worth more than £100m, to ex-wife Galina Besharova last July.

Then in January, former partner Elena Gorbunova reportedly won a court order freezing £200m of assets following their split.

In recent days, The Daily Telegraph reported he would attempt to sell Red Lenin, an Andy Warhol screen print valued at between £30,000 and £50,000 by Christie's.

The artwork sold on Wednesday for £133,875 including the buyer's premium, according to the auction house's website.

Friends have been quoted as saying the oligarch was depressed by his financial troubles.

Aleksei Venediktov, the editor of Ekho Moskvy and a friend and colleague of Berezovsky, was quoted as saying: "After losing in court to Roman Abramovich he was in a serious depression. He was undergoing treatment."

:: Ill Health

Mr Venediktov is also quoted as saying Mr Berezovsky had been suffering heart problems.

"It was a heart attack," he was reported as saying late on Saturday. "For the last two weeks, he had had several."

Other reports have suggested he had been undergoing treatment in Israel.

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'No Job? No Benefits' Cameron To Tell Immigrants

David Cameron is set to announce tough new measures to curb immigrants' access to housing and benefits, in an attempt to tackle the "something for nothing" welfare culture.

The Prime Minister will use a keynote speech to warn those coming to the country that Britain will no longer be taking a "soft touch" approach to immigration.

From next year, arrivals from the European Union will be stripped of jobseekers benefits after six months unless they can prove they have been actively looking for a job and stand a "genuine chance" of finding one.

Immigrant families will also be kept off council house waiting lists for up to five years.

Local authorities will have to introduce minimum residency times of between two and five years for joining waiting lists - or justify why they are not.

Mr Cameron is likely to cite figures in his speech showing that nearly one in 10 new social lettings go to foreign nationals. The proportion has risen from 6.5% in 2007-08 to 9% in 2011-12.

Immigrants will be kept off council housing waiting lists for five years

The Government is also pledging to beef up the "range and depth" of questions in the habitual residence test, which checks that people meet residence requirements for housing and income-related benefits.

Mr Cameron will also target illegal immigration - doubling the maximum fine for companies that employ illegal workers to £20,000.

He will also signal action against so-called "health tourism" that could mean non-EU nationals have to prove they hold insurance before getting care.

Mr Cameron is expected to say in his speech on Monday: "While I have always believed in the benefits of immigration I have also always believed that immigration has to be properly controlled.

"As I have long argued, under the last government this simply wasn't the case. Immigration was far too high and badly out of control. Net migration needs to come down radically from hundreds of thousands a year to just tens of thousands.

Immigrants must prove they have a 'genuine chance' of getting a job

"And as we bring net migration down so we must also make sure that Britain continues to benefit from it.

"That means ensuring that those who do come here are the brightest and the best the people we really need with the skills and entrepreneurial talent to create the British jobs and growth that will help us to win in the global race."

In his spring conference address over the weekend, Ukip leader Nigel Farage claimed his willingness to talk about immigration was one of the main reasons for the party's surge in popularity.

Concerns have also been rising over an influx from Bulgaria and Romania when movement restrictions are loosened at the end of this year.

The increasing political focus on the issue was emphasised last week when Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg ditched the Liberal Democrats' policy of offering an amnesty to illegal immigrants who have been in the country for more than 10 years.

Immigrants to the UK take part in a Citizenship Ceremony.

He admitted the move would risk "undermining public confidence".

In his speech, Mr Cameron is also due to say: "Ending the something for nothing culture needs to apply to immigration as well as welfare.

"We're going to give migrants from the European Economic Area a very clear message. Just like British citizens, there is no absolute right to unemployment benefit."

Insisting the NHS must be able to reclaim money from people who are not eligible for treatment, Mr Cameron is to say: "We should be clear that what we have is a free National Health Service, not a free International Health Service."

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Cyprus Rescue Deal Wins Eurozone Approval

Eurozone finance ministers gave their approval to an EU-IMF plan for restructuring Cyprus' banking sector and overhaul the country's two largest banks.

The plan will see the creation of a "good bank" and a "bad bank". The Popular Bank of Cyprus, known as Laiki, will effectively be shut down.

Deposits below 100,000 euros in Laiki will be transferred to Bank of Cyprus. Deposits above 100,000 euros, which under EU law are not insured, will be frozen and will be used to resolve debt.

Earlier, an EU spokesman said there would be no "levy" imposed on any Cypriot banks, with the package requiring a full "bail-in" of uninsured depositors, which is likely to mean heavy losses for those with large holdings in Laiki and potentially Bank of Cyprus, where many Russians hold bank accounts.

IMF's Christine Lagarde and the German finance minister at the Eurogroup

An official involved in the Eurogroup discussions said the plan had been "approved".

The deal emerged after fraught negotiations between President Nicos Anastasiades and heads of the EU, the European Central Bank and the IMF Fund - hours before a deadline to avert a collapse of the banking system.

It came as a powerful firecracker went off inside a Bank of Cyprus branch in Limassol causing some damage, according to Cyprus' state-run news agency.

News website Sigmalive said two assailants smashed a glass door and set off the firecracker, but arriving firefighters quickly doused the flames.

The country must raise 5.8bn euros (£4.9bn) before it can receive an EU bailout of 10bn euros (£8.5bn).

Cyprus's outsized banking sector was crippled by exposure to crisis-hit Greece.

In a vote on Tuesday, the country's 56-seat parliament dismissed a levy on depositors as "bank robbery".

The country's finance minister Michael Sarris then spent three fruitless days in Moscow trying to win help from Russia, whose citizens have billions of euros at stake.

Cypriots were outraged by the original proposal and have been queuing at cash machines ever since bank doors were closed last weekend on the orders of the government.

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Weather: Man Dies In Snow Trying To Get Home

A young man died in a "very tragic incident" after trying to get home in the snow in Burnley after a night out with friends.

The man's body was discovered in deep snow by a farmer at 1.30pm but emergency services struggled to get to the area because of the weather conditions.

Chief Inspector Derry Crorken, of Burnley Police, said: "Early indications suggest that it appears to be a very tragic incident where a young man has been out with friends and has become caught up in the weather last night on his journey home.

"The snow and ice has been severe in the area with many roads not passable. I would urge people to take precautions and only go out if it is necessary and if you do go out then make sure friends and family know where you are and that you have suitable clothing on and your phone with you."

His death is the second tragedy in the recent spell of bad weather. On Friday police in Looe, Cornwall, found a body in a block of flats that had been flattened by a landslide thought to have been triggered by torrential rain.

There is apparently 18 inches of snow near Wrexham (Pic: Alison Brooks)

Heavy snowfall has brought disruption to many parts of the UK, with roads closed, flights delayed, rail services cancelled and sports events called off.

Power lines were brought down, leaving tens of thousands of homes in Northern Ireland without electricity, while 18,000 properties in Scotland and hundreds more in areas of northern England also had no power.

In some areas police reported snow drifts up to 20ft (6m) while the British Red Cross were called on to ferry medical staff, paramedics and even patients to hospital using 4x4s.

The snowy conditions extended south, hitting areas around London and Kent, where forecasters said there could be 2cm-5cm (1-2ins) of the white stuff on higher ground.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for the public to be aware of adverse weather conditions as a slow-moving band of rain, sleet and snow made its way across many central and northern parts, and the south and east.

There may be 5-10cm (2-4ins) of snow at lower levels and further significant snow accumulations were likely on hills, with continued drifting and blizzard conditions in strong southeasterly winds. 

In North Wales the British Red Cross ferried hospital staff, paramedics and renal patients to hospitals using 4x4 vehicles.

Bay Search and Rescue in Cumbria were deployed to help people in the snow

David Hallows, service manager for emergency response for the Red Cross in North Wales, said: "I've never seen snow like it. It's a metre thick in places and it's not drifting.

"I just can't believe it. It's great to know that our 4x4 capability can be of such vital use to medical staff in getting them through these tough weather conditions to patients, many of whom are seriously ill."

Airports were forced to shut their runways, and road closures hit motorists. The AA has warned drivers that even short journeys may be difficult.

More snow is expected tonight but it set to slowly die out on Sunday and forecasters say most places will have a cold, dry day with cold easterly winds.

About 70 people stranded in their cars in Cumbria overnight were put up in a local high school. Police said that snow was drifting up to 20ft (6m) and they had had 1,500 calls asking for help.

A motorist drives past another car stuck in a snow drift near Belfast

In Northern Ireland, 6ft (1.8m) snow drifts left emergency crews struggling to get through but electricity was restored to 17,000 homes on Saturday.

However, about 18,000 customers were still cut off and teams were out again from first light to continue with network repairs, Northern Ireland Electricity said. They were using helicopters to try to identify the power lines affected.

In Scotland, ScottishPower said it was working hard to restore powers to all its affected homes.

Electricity North West was trying to restore power to parts of Cumbria, with 284 customers still without electricity, as engineers were unable to reach them due to road closures.

Leeds Bradford Airport said flights were not currently operating due to the adverse weather conditions. There was also disruption at East Midlands Airport.

Cutting through the snow in Denbighshire (Pic: David Cartwright)

Among the problems reported on the railways was disruption on First Transpennine Express services between Huddersfield and Manchester, and no Northern Rail services between Skipton and Carlisle.

The bad weather also hit the sporting programme, with racing at Doncaster and Newbury called off and some football league games in England and Scotland postponed.

Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Russia fell foul of the weather for the second time in 24 hours, with hostile conditions rendering Windsor Park unplayable.

The Group F clash was initially due to take place on Friday night but heavy snow and plummeting temperatures in Belfast saw the fixture postponed after three inspections by Norwegian referee Tom Hagen and the FIFA delegation.

The South West, which was hit by heavy rain and floods on Friday, had a dry day. Bylate evening the Environment Agency had only 63 flood alerts in place, those mainly for the South East.

A snow plough ended up on its side in the bad weather (Pic: Shaun Cullis)

Sky weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "Southeast England, East Anglia, the Midlands, north Wales, northern England, Northern Ireland and much of Scotland can expect snow today.

"High ground will be worst affected with some heavy snow at times with drifting in the strong winds and also blizzards.

"Low levels could see 5-10cm (2-4ins) of snowfall today although amounts will probably be lower across London."

She added: "Southwest England, south Wales and southern Ireland looks largely dry and relatively mild with some brighter spells.

"A few showers may nudge into the extreme southwest later. Tonight will stay dry with a frost forming in places."

It is expected to be the coldest March since 1962 when the average temperature was 2.8C (37F).

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Berezovsky Death: Chemical Experts Called In

Chemical and radiation experts are assisting police in their investigation after exiled Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky was found dead in a bath at his home in the UK.

It is believed the former billionaire, who had fallen out with the Kremlin, took his own life but no reports have been confirmed.

Lord Bell, the advertising and PR executive, confirmed his death, adding: "His body was found by his bodyguard."

Thames Valley Police confirmed they had launched an investigation into the death of a 67-year-old man at a property in Ascot, Berkshire.

His death was "currently unexplained" and a "full inquiry under way", police said.

A police statement said: "Specially trained officers are currently at the scene, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) trained officers, who are carrying out a number of searches as a precaution.

Berezovsky arrives for his court room clash with Roman Abramovich

"The body of the man is still in the property at this time."

Mr Berezovsky's lawyer Alexander Dobrovinsky told Russian state television that he had been informed by contacts in London that Mr Berezovsky had killed himself.

He said: "Berezovsky has been in a terrible state as of late. He was in debt. He felt destroyed. He was forced to sell his paintings and other things."

Mr Berezovsky made his fortune in Russia in the 1990s when he bought up state assets which were being sold off cheaply.

Mr Berezovsky had lived in Great Britain from 2000 having fled from Russia after falling out with Russia's leader.

r Berezovsky in 1998 with Andrei Lugovoi, suspected of killing Litvinenko

He was also a friend of the murdered dissident Alexander Litvinenko, who died in London after consuming radioactive Polonium in 2006.

In 1997 Forbes magazine estimated Mr Berezovsky's wealth at US$3bn but in recent years his wealth had been considerably reduced.

It is thought he had done badly in the financial crisis. In 2009 his wealth was estimated at £450m but he is thought to have spent £100m on the £3.7bn lawsuit against Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich last year, which he lost.

James Nixey, head of Chatham House's Russia programme, said: "He is the most virulently anti-Kremlin, anti-Putin of the oligarchs.

"He was certainly willing to spend his money, what little he had left, in an attempt to use it to end the current regime in Russia."

Officers have cordoned off Mr Berezovsky's house in Ascot, Berkshire

He added: "He had bodyguards, there were attempts on his life that even the security service in the UK had warned him about.

"It's certainly not the first case of Russians and people from the former Soviet Union, more broadly, who have been involved in difficult, embarrassing disputes with the Kremlin, to have died in relatively mysterious circumstances, perhaps before you might expect their natural life to end."

However, speaking to Sky News, a friend of Mr Berezovsky said that she did not think his death to be suspicious.

Sasha Nerozina said: "There is nothing to be suspicious about, as far as I understand."

She said: "It is shocking, terrible news. It is not something you expect. He was full of life and love."

She said that Mr Berezovsky had been left "demoralised" by losing the high-profile legal battle with Mr Abramovich last year.

But she said: "Boris cannot be dead - it is almost incredible to put those words together. We expected him to outlive us all."

Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV that Mr Berezovsky had recently written to the President to ask for a pardon and to say that he wanted to return to Russia.

He said: "He asked Putin for forgiveness for his mistakes and asked him to obtain the opportunity to return to the motherland."

Lord Truscott, who has written a biography of Mr Putin, said: "Was it suicide or was it murder? He had a lot of contact with people in Russia. There could be a whole host of people who could want to see him dead.

"Last year he lost a case against Mr Abramovich and was getting very short of money. He could have been in a depressed state. Perhaps it was a final desperation."

A cordon remains around the property while police continue with their investigations.

Superintendent Stuart Greenfield said: "We are aware the cordon is causing disruption to local residents and we apologise for any inconvenience, but it is important we take all necessary measures to ensure a full and thorough investigation can be carried out.

"I would like to reassure residents that we are confident there is no risk to the wider community. The property is part of a large estate so a number of roads are closed off at the moment and will remain so for the time being."

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