Angry Flood Victims Confront David Cameron

David Cameron has been confronted by angry residents who told him they had been "abandoned" after the Christmas storm left their village flooded.

The Prime Minister was told that more must be done to tackle the problems with flooding as he visited the village of Yalding in Kent, where 100 homes had to be evacuated over Christmas.

Erica Olivares said she had been without power since Monday and when she and others had tried to contact their local council for help as the floodwaters rose they had been unable to get through as staff had "decided to go on their holidays".

During his visit, Mr Cameron had asked Ms Olivares what she needed and encouraged her to contact her council before she responded that she had tried.

Erica Olivares said her village had been 'abandoned' by the council

In front of the cameras, she told him: "We still have no electric. We need electric. As I say, the council, from Monday, we have been trying to contact them, but they have all decided to go on their holidays. Nothing."

She told Sky News that she had moved to the village after being assured by the council they were bringing in adequate defences following the last floods.

She said: "I just told him what had happened and how we had been affected and also about how disappointed I was about how the local council had treated us.

"We have had no help, especially over Christmas Day we were totally abandoned - we had no hot food, no hot drink, nothing. We were up to our waist literally in flood water the whole of Christmas Day.

"Where does it stop? How many more times is it going to happen? Who is ever going to get flood insurance around here again? Nobody. But if they do, it is going to be so high that nobody will be able to afford it."

As Mr Cameron moved between the houses he was confronted by a second villager.

The Bognor Regis rail route was closed after this landslip at Ockley

The Prime Minister admitted that more needed to be done. He said: "Sandbags should be made available. Here they were given warnings. There were warnings from the Environment Agency but they weren't always accurate but they did know flood action was coming.

"Look at this man's house, I was just talking to. That was a flood barrier he got after 2000 - quite a high flood barrier. But this was such a massive flood the water went over the flood barrier and into the house.

"Sometimes these are very, very tragic events. It is impossible to protect everybody against everything but we have got to do more and we have got to do better."

The tense scenes came as power firms struggled to restore electricity to thousands of homes after hurricane-force gales brought down trees and power lines and caused flooding in two storms over the Christmas period.

A man removes items from his home after flooding in Tonbridge

More than 8,000 homes in the UK, and 10,000 in Ireland were without power on Friday evening but energy companies were under fire for failing to re-establish supplies quickly enough after 50,000 were left without power on Christmas Day.

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) warned it could be some time until power is restored after Thursday night's storm battered Ireland and the west of the UK, with a top recorded wind speed of 109mph in Aberdaron, West Wales, significantly hampering repair work.

ENA spokesman Tony Glover said: "The problem was that not only did we have a storm followed by torrential rain, but huge amounts of flooding afterwards.

"That impacted on our ability to get to the affected areas, and to get materials that we need.

"It meant that we were not able to get cherry pickers to replace and repair damaged infrastructure. We simply cannot put a cherry picker in the middle of a lake.

"We know that it is very tough and that it has been horrendous for people - I am not going to downplay it - but we are doing our best and working around the clock to help everyone who has been affected."

A man paddles his canoe past a flooded property in Yalding

The Met Office continued to urge caution with a number of weather warnings on Friday and the rain and windy conditions are expected to last up to the New Year.

Hundreds of flights and train journeys were cancelled or delayed and police were warning people to take "extreme caution" when driving in the ferocious conditions.

On the roads, the Highways Agency closed the Humber Bridge to high-sided vehicles due to the winds and a lorry was reported to have overturned near Immingham docks, north of Grimsby.

The worst of the winds hit Ireland, Wales, the North and western Scotland, while rain fell on already soaked ground in the South East bringing more flooding misery.

A downed tree in Toys Hill, Kent

Southeastern trains were warning journeys could still be cancelled or delayed at short notice, while Virgin, East Coast and Southern trains continued to warn of travel disruption.

There were no trains between London's Victoria station and Gatwick Airport following a landslip near Ockley in Surrey.

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Police and fire services across both the UK and Ireland reported road closures because of uprooted trees.

Waves smash against a flood wall in County Donegal. Pic: Mitchell family

The Environment Agency (EA) was warning of more "significant disruption" across southern England.

But a spokesperson for the agency said overnight rainfall was less than expected, with around 10mm falling in the South East.

The spokesperson added: "The levels are still peaking for rivers with bigger catchment areas, such as the Stour through Canterbury and Ashford and the River Medway, which runs through Maidstone."

Around 1,200 properties have been flooded so far, according to the EA, with 35 flood warnings and 103 flood alerts in place.

The highest ever water levels were recorded downstream of the Leigh Barrier, a large storage reservoir which protects Tonbridge in Kent from flooding.

ESB Networks engineers attempt to repair downed power lines in Ireland

Met Eireann imposed red alert warnings in the southern and eastern parts of Ireland, with Wexford, Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford experiencing the worst of the stormy weather.

AA Roadwatch described driving conditions on Ireland's country roads as "treacherous" - and advised motorists to drive with extreme care.

An elderly couple were treated in hospital after an electricity pole fell on top of their Mayobridge home during the overnight storms, causing a fire which caused widespread damage.

This home in Mayobridge, Northern Ireland, was gutted by fire

The pair were in their home with their son when the pole hit the roof of the property.

Two other pensioners were also treated after the incident caused smoke and water damage to their home.

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Sandy Hook Shooting Documents Released

A police report into the Sandy Hook school massacre has revealed harrowing new details about the murders and the gunman's family life.

The paperwork, much of which is blacked out, includes several videos and hundreds of photographs from inside Sandy Hook Elementary and Adam Lanza's home.

It reveals how police officers were faced with terrible scenes inside the school and describes how many of the children were killed in a bathroom where they were hiding.

Lanza shot and killed his mother at their home before driving to the Newtown school, where he killed 20 children and six teachers.

A rifle magazine clip is seen on the floor in the hallway

The 20-year-old then committed suicide by shooting himself in the mouth with a handgun as police arrived at the scene.

Included in the files were photographs showing bullet holes in walls, windows and classroom furniture.

Images of spent magazine clips and empty shell casings on the floor depict the gunman's path of destruction.

The report also included many photographs of the contents of the gunman's family house - including one of a young child holding what appears to be a gun, with ammunition in his lap.

In a letter accompanying the report, Reuben Bradford, commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, praised the efforts of all those connected to the horrific shooting.

He wrote: "In the midst of the darkness of that day, we also saw remarkable heroism and glimpses of grace. We saw Sandy Hook Elementary School faculty and staff doing everything in their power to protect their charges.

A gun seen just inside one of the classrooms

"The investigation of this incident is unparalleled in the 110-year history of the Connecticut State Police."

The documents revealed that a former teacher of Lanza's was quoted as telling investigators that Lanza exhibited anti-social behaviour, rarely interacted with other students and obsessed in writings "about battles, destruction and war".

"In all my years of experience, I have known (redacted) grade boys to talk about things like this, but Adam's level of violence was disturbing," the teacher told investigators.

The teacher added: "Adam's creative writing was so graphic that it could not be shared."

The documents also filled in more details about how the shooting unfolded, teachers protected their students and the school janitor confronted the shooter.

Teachers heard janitor Rick Thorn try to get Lanza to leave the school.

One teacher, who was hiding in a closet in the maths lab, heard Mr Thorn yell: "Put the gun down!"

An aide said she heard gunfire and Mr Thorn told her to close her door.

The documents' release marks the end of the investigation into the massacre on December 14, 2012, 

Prosecutors issued a summary of the investigation last month that portrayed Lanza as obsessed with mass murders.

Lanza kept a clipping about the 2008 Northern Illinois University shooting

But the report concluded that Lanza's motives for the massacre might never be known.

Lanza "was undoubtedly afflicted with mental health problems; yet despite a fascination with mass shootings and firearms, he displayed no aggressive or threatening tendencies," it said.

Lanza was diagnosed in 2006 with "profound autism spectrum disorder, with rigidity, isolation and a lack of comprehension of ordinary social interaction and communications".

He also displaying symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Kathleen Koenig, a nurse at the Yale Child Studies Center, told investigators that Lanza frequently washed his hands and changed his socks 20 times a day, to the point where his mother did three loads of laundry a day.

The nurse, who met with Lanza in 2006 and 2007, said Lanza's mother declined to give him prescribed antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication after she reported that he had trouble raising his arm, something she attributed to the drug.

Koenig unsuccessfully tried to convince Nancy Lanza that the medicine was not responsible, and the mother failed to schedule a follow-up visit after her son missed an appointment, police said.

In the documents, a friend told police that Nancy Lanza reported that her son had hit his head several days before the shootings.

And an ex-boyfriend told police that she cancelled a trip to London on the week of the shooting because of "a couple last-minute problems on the home front".

She told a friend two weeks before the shootings that her son was growing "increasingly despondent" and had refused to leave his room for three months.

They only communicated by email, with the mother saying he told her he wouldn't feel bad if something happened to her.

His isolation was so complete that he refused to leave his room during Superstorm Sandy, the report said.

Just before the shooting, Nancy Lanza was in New Hampshire. She told a lunch acquaintance there that the trip was an experiment in leaving her son home alone in Connecticut for a few days.

Photographs from inside the Lanza home show numerous rounds of ammunition, gun magazines, shot-up paper targets, large knives and swords.

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Lorry Collides With British Legion Club

A lorry has collided with a Royal British Legion club in the West Midlands, killing the driver.

West Midlands Police said there were no other reported injuries.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Wednesbury at around 8pm.

The lorry - delivering milk - collided with the side of the social club at the junction of High Bullen and Church Hill.

Customers were evacuated from inside the building "as a precaution", a police spokeswoman said.

The roads around the scene remained closed as emergency services made sure the building was safe.

The force spokeswoman said officers are in the process of trying to identify the lorry driver and inform his next of kin.

Police are keen to hear from any witnesses and asked them to contact West Midlands Police on 101.

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Christmas Flood Misery Continues For Thousands

More weather chaos is due over the next few days with the Environment Agency (EA) saying flooding may get worse in some areas.

Late this evening at least six flights were diverted from Dublin airport because of "strong gusts on both runways".

Thousands of people spent Christmas Day without power and many were evacuated due to flooding.

Rolt family, from Crawley, have a candlelit McDonald's meal for Christmas

With stormy weather expected to continue through the week, the EA said the Christmas misery might get worse.

It said there could be "significant disruption" across southern England, and "heavy showers may worsen the current flooding situation in some areas".

A spokesman added: "Ongoing river flooding across the Somerset Levels, River Severn, River Thames and River Ouse in Cambridgeshire and rivers across Essex is expected over the next few days."

There are 56 flood warnings and 144 flood alerts across England and Wales.

More than 1,000 homes have so far been flooded in England, and thousands of properties are still without power.

Experts have warned that electricity may not be fully restored in some houses until the end of the week.

Rosalind Wright has had no power at her home in Carshalton, Surrey, since Christmas Eve.

The Environment Agency's map shows flood warnings across England and Wales

She said: "We've been calling the UK power emergency line and they just keep telling us they don't know when the power will come back on. It's just so frustrating.

"It's so cold at night. We can't wash, our food is ruined, I opened the fridge this morning and the smell was awful.

"We've got tropical fish that are dying because they haven't got their heat and light and oxygen."

Nick Rolt, from Crawley, tweeted a picture of his family sitting down to a candlelit McDonald's meal on Christmas Eve when their power went off.

Firefighters broke their strike in parts of England because of the storms.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union in Surrey and Kent were recalled to duty under the terms of an agreement between the union, the employers and the Government.

In Ireland, strong gale-force winds are expected to continue overnight with western and southern counties taking the brunt of the storm.

Red Alerts have been issued for Wexford, Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford. Winds of up to 93mph are expected in exposed areas.

Heavy rain is also due to fall in counties to the west and north. Forecasters have warned of spot flooding in coastal regions.

In the early hours of Christmas Day, around 90 people were evacuated from their homes on the River Stour near Bournemouth.

People were also evacuated from the Beaulieu Garden Park Home in Christchurch, Dorset.

The Coastguard has joined Kent Fire and Rescue Service to rescue people from the Little Venice Caravan and Marina Park in Yalding after rising waters from the River Medway cut them off.

There was also chaos at Gatwick Airport in West Sussex after a power cut at the North Terminal led to cancellations and delays, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

Airport bosses face a possible investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over the chaos - which came two months after flights were hit by another storm.

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UK Set For More Flooding And Travel Chaos

The Environment Agency has warned of more weather chaos over the next few days - and says flooding may get worse in some areas.

Thousands of people spent Christmas Day without power and many were evacuated due to flooding.

With stormy weather expected to continue through the week, the Environment Agency (EA) said the Christmas misery may get worse.

Rolt family, from Crawley, have a candlelit McDonald's meal for Christmas

It said there may be "significant disruption" across south England overnight, and "heavy showers may worsen the current flooding situation in some areas".

A spokesman added: "Ongoing river flooding across the Somerset Levels, River Severn, River Thames and River Ouse in Cambridgeshire and rivers across Essex is expected over the next few days."

More than 1,000 homes have so far been flooded in England, and thousands of properties are still without power.

Experts have warned that electricity may not be fully restored in some houses until the end of the week.

Nick Rolt, from Crawley, tweeted a picture of his family sitting down to a candlelit McDonald's meal on Christmas Eve when their power went off.

The Environment Agency's map shows flood warnings across England and Wales

The EA has two severe warnings in place in the South West - the highest level of alert, which means there is a danger to life. They are at Beaulieu Garden Park Home Site and Iford Bridge Home Park.

There are 93 flood warnings and 185 flood alerts across England and Wales.

Firefighters broke their strike in parts of England because of the storms.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union in Surrey and Kent were recalled to duty under the terms of an agreement between the union, the employers and the Government.

In the early hours of Christmas Day, around 90 people were evacuated from their homes on the River Stour near Bournemouth.

People were also evacuated from the Beaulieu Garden Park Home in Christchurch, Dorset.

The Coastguard joined Kent Fire and Rescue Service to rescue people from the Little Venice Caravan and Marina Park in Yalding after rising waters from the River Medway cut them off.

There was chaos at Gatwick Airport in West Sussex after a power cut at the North Terminal led to cancellations and delays, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

Airport bosses face a possible investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over the chaos - which came two months after flights were hit by another storm.

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Queen's Message: Monarch Reflects On 2013

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The Queen has reflected on key events of the past 12 months in her traditional Christmas broadcast, including the birth of her great-grandson Prince George and the 60th anniversary of her coronation.

In her message, recorded earlier this month at Buckingham Palace, the 87-year-old monarch said: "We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection.

"With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock."

The head of the Commonwealth also used the theme of "reflection" to look ahead to the Commonwealth Games being staged in Glasgow next year.

The newest addition to the Royal Family was something the Queen was keen to focus on, saying the arrival of a baby "gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope".

During the broadcast, behind-the-scenes footage was shown for the first time of the photoshoot at Clarence House in October, shortly after the Christening of Prince George at the Chapel Royal.

The Monarch will reflect on the birth of her great-grandson, Prince George

One photograph taken was that of the Queen with the next three generations of monarchs including Princes Charles, William and George.

As the Queen spoke to the British people, and those of the Commonwealth, the historic photograph took pride of place next to her at the Palace alongside a framed image of her father George VI and mother, the Queen Mother.

The Christmas address is written by the Queen and is one of the rare occasions when she does not turn to the Government for advice but is able to voice her own views.

It was this year recorded in Buckingham Palace's Blue Drawing Room which featured a large Christmas tree decorated with coloured baubles.

During her message, the Queen was seated wearing a single crepe-wool primrose dress designed by Angela Kelly, which she wore to William and Kate's wedding in April 2011.

On her left shoulder was a diamond, ruby and sapphire brooch, a present from her parents to celebrate the birth of Charles in 1948, which she wore at George's Christening.

Earlier on Christmas Day the monarch was joined by her family at church in Sandringham - with the exception of Prince George.

The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Andrew led the walking party from the main house to St Mary Magdalene's church on the Norfolk estate.

But The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge decided the 45-minute service would be unsuitable for their five-month-old.

Prince Harry joined the 11am stroll sporting a beard grown during his trek to the South Pole.

The Queen, who is normally accompanied by the Countess of Wessex, was this year instead joined by a heavily pregnant Zara Philips.

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Storms Wreak Misery And Chaos For Christmas

48 Hours Without Power

Updated: 1:45am UK, Wednesday 25 December 2013

By Anna Botting, Sky News presenter

We live at the top of a hill in Surrey. Our power went off just after 2pm on the 23rd December.

It's still off as I write this, late on Christmas Eve, with no prospects of anything being sorted out before tomorrow - Christmas Day.

How I wish my Christmas present list had read like this:

- Candles – lots, of the non-perfumed variety

- One wind-up radio

- A camping light

- And a chain-saw – to cut through all the trees that are down.

It is amazing what electricity does for us. You don't realise until you don't have it anymore.

Fridges, full of Christmas food, are gradually warming to unsafe levels. Christmas lights, that twinkled so brightly, lie dormant.

And in the gloom, with no television, no radio, no lights to read by, no internet, no phone, there is absolutely nothing to do...except listen to the wind battering the windows and the trees whipping and the bins rolling around the lane.  How did people cope in the old days?

Thankfully it's still relatively mild, but my 16-month-old baby's hands were still icy. We'd bought a camping stove for the last storm - St Jude's. It's been a God-send.

We can make cups of tea and cook-up some soup or pasta for the little one. The baby had a bath by candlelight, which was lovely for her.

But downstairs, my newly-walking toddler stumbled around in the gloom, hitting walls and furniture as the candles burned down.

Eventually we're left with just two; one of them barely flickering. It's really dark on top of our hill. My other half decides to do his Christmas wrapping but he can barely see what the present is, let alone the label that he attempts to write.

There is nothing for it, but to give up and go to bed early.

Next day the neighbours come round. The 81-year-old with a stomach bug who's staying in bed to keep warm, the father and grandfather who have the whole family due at their house for Christmas Day - who report seeing a power cable down at the back of their house.

The electricity company had told us it was an underground cabling issue, presumably caused by flooding, but clearly the wind has wrought havoc too.

They optimistically told us (by their text messaging service) that it would be sorted by 5pm yesterday, then 10pm. Now I'm guessing it'll be Boxing Day.

I always wonder why people go on about their freezers in power cuts. But then I remember the butchery course I bought my partner for his birthday and the two beautifully butchered joints he brought back that are sitting in the freezer waiting for a Sunday roast.

He confidently tells me that modern freezers keep things frozen for 24 hours. But now we're already at 32 hours and counting.

I attempt a shower before heading to work. But of course the electric shower pump doesn't operate and I have to wash my hair over the bath with now freezing cold water.

I haven't seen the news since yesterday lunchtime; the power cut means a news blackout. Now heading home, I am armed with torch to creep in, in the dark. 

Merry Christmas - especially to all those who can't read this now.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Queen's Speech: Monarch Reflects On 2013

By Paul Harrison, Royal correspondent

The Queen will reflect on key events of the past 12 months in her traditional Christmas broadcast, including the birth of her great-grandson Prince George and the 60th anniversary of her Coronation.

In her message, recorded earlier this month at Buckingham Palace, the 87-year-old Monarch will say: "We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection.

"With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock." 

The head of the Commonwealth will also use the theme of 'reflection' to look ahead to the Commonwealth Games being staged in Glasgow next year.

It is expected to be a full house at Sandringham this year with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joining the family for the festivities, including the traditional Christmas Day church service.

It will be their son Prince George's first Christmas at the Norfolk estate.

The Monarch will reflect on the birth of her great-grandson, Prince George

The Queen will refer in her message to her growing family by saying "...the arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope."

During the broadcast, behind-the-scenes footage will be shown for the first time of the photoshoot at Clarence House in October, shortly after the Christening of Prince George at the Chapel Royal.

One photograph taken was that of the Queen with the next three generations of monarchs including Princes Charles, William and George.

As the Queen speaks to the British people, and those of the Commonwealth, the historic photograph takes pride of place next to her at the Palace alongside a framed image of her father George VI and mother, the Queen Mother.

The Christmas address is written by the Queen and is one of the rare occasions when she does not turn to the Government for advice but is able to voice her own views.

It was this year recorded in Buckingham Palace's Blue Drawing Room which features a large Christmas tree decorated with coloured baubles.

During her message, the Queen is seated wearing a single crepe-wool primrose dress designed by Angela Kelly, which she wore to William and Kate's wedding in April 2011.

On her left shoulder is a diamond, ruby and sapphire brooch, a present from her parents to celebrate the birth of Charles in 1948, which she wore at George's Christening.

The message will be broadcast on Sky News at 3pm.

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Weather: Two Die As Storm Batters Country

A man and a woman have died as rain and winds of up to 87mph sweep the country disrupting the Christmas getaway and leaving more than 6,000 without power.

A man died in Cumbria after falling into the River Rothay at Ambleside triggering a large rescue search involving the police, RAF, Coastguard, and mountain rescue teams. In a separate incident, a woman died after falling into a river at Gwynedd in North Wales.

A motorist died on Sunday at Bolventor, in Cornwall after a three-car accident during a hail storm.

In Horsham, West Sussex, two children were treated for minor injuries after being hit by branches from a falling tree.

Flood warnings were in place across the whole country as it was hit by relentless rain falling on already saturated ground and winds whipping to 70-80mph.

Most of the country will see rain at some point

Around 3,000 homes are without power in Cornwall and a further 2,000 in other parts of the South West after high winds brought down power lines, according to Western Power Distribution. According to Southern Electricity, there are 1,100 without power in Berkshire.

The spokesman for the Met Office said a new wind speed high had been recorded at Capel Curig in Conwy, North Wales, with gusts blowing at 87mph.

Not far behind was Berry Head in Torbay, Devon, with gusts of 76mph.

The Dartford QE2 bridge is closed until 4am tomorrow morning, the M48 Severn Bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles and the Sheppey Crossing in Kent has also been closed until Tuesday morning.

An Essex police spokesman said: "The tunnels will remain open to help maintain the flow of traffic, but congestion is expected so drivers are advised to seek alternative routes if possible or avoid the Thurrock and Dartford areas of Essex and Kent."

A roof blew off a property in Hatherleigh, Devon. Pic: @Orchella49

In London, Royal Parks officials closed Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, St James's Park and Green Park due to the high winds expected overnight on Monday.

The Met Office has issued more than 200 amber "be prepared" warnings across the country. There are 56 "immediate action required" flood warnings in place and one severe warning - meaning lives are at risk - at the Sea Life Centre in the area of Lodmoor, Weymouth.

Sky News' weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "There will be heavy downpours bringing 20-40mm of rainfall quite widely and over 60mm likely across parts of the high ground.

"As the rain is falling on already saturated ground that could cause both surface water and river flooding in these areas."

The stormy weather is expected to move to northern areas for Christmas Eve but Christmas Day looks set for calmer weather, however, there are warnings the strong winds and driving rain will return on Friday.

:: See the latest weather forecast here

More than 100 'be prepared' alerts have been issued

But it is the trains that are expected to bear the brunt of the nasty weather and at least 21 train companies said there were changes to timetables and cancelled services.

An emergency go-slow limit of 50mph is in force on many routes.

Train bosses say "hundreds of engineers" will be on call over the next two days to deal with any blocked tracks or technical problems.

Passengers are being urged to check the latest information before setting out.

Network Rail Managing Director Robin Gisby said: Robin Gisby, managing director of operational services for Network Rail, said the next couple of days would be a challenge.

He said: "Our fundamental concern over the next 48 hours is to get everyone where they want to be for Christmas.

Virgin Trains is one of many operators warning of delays and disruption

"It won't be an easy task given the forecast conditions and disruption is likely - but I want to be very clear that our priority is running as many trains as we can safely, rather than worrying about hitting the timetable bang on."

Many companies have removed limits on day tickets to deter people from travelling at the height of the bad weather.

Motorists were urged to be take special care on the roads and check the flood updates ahead of their journey, as the AA reported it was dealing with 1,100 breakdowns every hour.

The Environment Agency and the AA strongly advised not entering flood water that is moving or more than 10cm deep.

David Jordan, Director of Operations at the Environment Agency, said: "Tragically people die because they've taken risks and attempted to drive through flood water just to save a few minutes.

The A82 in Scotland, where there is an ice alert. Pic: @pressscotland

"Flood water is dangerous. If there is widespread flooding in your area then don't travel and if a road is closed then turn around and make a detour."

The Highways Agency said high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists should be especially careful in the high winds and and put out a list of potentially treacherous routes.

The RAC predicted 13 million people would take to the roads from December 24 to 26.

There were cancellations and delays at both Gatwick and Heathrow airports, while the Port of Dover was closed at 9pm becuse of the adverse weather conditions.

Visitor attractions are also playing it safe, with the popular Winter Wonderland in London's Hyde Park staying shut on Monday as well as Kew Gardens' Christmas attraction.

Festive revellers will get a brief respite from the unsettled weather on Christmas Day and Boxing Day but the stormy conditions are due to return on Friday.

In Brighton, the council announced that the traditional Christmas Day dip would be cancelled because of the severe weather conditions.

The swim, which was also stopped last year because of dangerous weather conditions, has been running since 1860 and usually attracts scores of participants.

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Egypt: '14 Dead' In Powerful Police HQ Explosion

At least 14 people have been killed in an explosion at police headquarters in the Egyptian city of Mansoura, according to officials.

The powerful blast, believed to have been caused by a car bomb, injured at least 100 others according to the state news agency and a security official.

The explosion took place just after 1am at the regional security headquarters in the Nile Delta province of Daqahliya, collapsing part of the five-floor building. Most of those killed are understood to be police officers who were inside the building at the time of the blast. 

The blast damaged surrounding buildings and wrecked nearby cars

The explosion reportedly damaged surrounding buildings and wrecked dozens of vehicles.

Security forces cordoned off the  area, closed major entrances and exits to the city and set up checkpoints. State TV called on residents to rush to hospitals to donate blood.

Egypt's interim government accused the Muslim Brotherhood of orchestrating the attack, branding it a "terrorist organisation."

Egypt's Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and vowed that the perpetrators "will not escape justice."

The attack came a day after an al Qaeda-inspired group called on police and army personnel to desert or face death at the hands of its fighters.

It was the first major attack in the Nile Delta, spreading the carnage to a new area and bringing it closer to Cairo. Previous violence that killed scores of people happened in Sinai, or in Suez Canal-area cities such as Islamilia.

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Weather Warning As Travel Delays Expected

Millions of travellers preparing for the Christmas getaway are being warned to expect delays on the roads and railways with strong winds and heavy rain expected across Britain on Monday.

At least 27 rail networks are expected to be affected by the weather with gusts of up to 60mph likely nearly everywhere in the afternoon, possibly reaching 80mph later in the day in some areas.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for the day, and motorists are being told to brace themselves for problems - particularly those heading to the southwest of England and parts of Scotland.

The scene beside the A9 at Drumochter this morning (pic: @BEAR_Scotland)

The Cumbrian Coast Line between Carlisle and Barrow is already shut due to a landslide, while flooding has closed part of the line in Crowborough.

Cumbrian Police are urging people to take extra care and be prepared for flooding caused by heavy rain.

The Highways Agency, in conjunction with the Met Office, is advising drivers of high-sided or other vehicles vulnerable to high winds to avoid several roads including the M4 from junctions 22 to 23 and the M5 from junctions 18 to 19.

Weather disruption on the A9 southbound in Scotland (pic: @EuanWest)

John McTaggart, head of on-road services at the Agency, said: "We are working closely with the Met Office to monitor conditions ahead of tomorrow.

"Road users are urged to check traffic and weather conditions before setting out on journeys and to heed any advice such as speed restrictions once they are on the strategic road network.

"Be aware of sudden gusts of wind, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles plenty of space.

Passengers at Kings Cross are advised of disruption to their travel plans

"In the event of persistent high winds we may need to close certain bridges to traffic for a period, so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow the clearly signed diversion routes. "

Arriva Trains Wales, c2C, Chiltern Railways, Cross Country, First Capital Connect, Virgin Trains, East Coast Trains, East Midlands Trains and First Hull Trains are all warning of disruption to services tomorrow. First Capital Connect said the delays could run into Tuesday.

Approximately two trains per hour are expected to run between Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and all other stations into London St Pancras International from noon on Monday.

This landslip at Harrington in Cumbria caused delays for train passengers

South East trains say buses have replaced trains from Hastings to Tonbridge due to a landslip at Wadhurst, East Sussex.

Rail operators say passengers with tickets for trains tomorrow should travel today if possible. East Midlands Trains have confirmed that anyone with a ticket for tomorrow may travel today. Advance ticket holders may also travel on services earlier than the time specified on the ticket.

Virgin Trains advised passengers with tickets valid tomorrow to travel before 3pm where possible due to expected speed restrictions.

Train services could be hit by gusts of up to 80mph

The Environment Agency say flood alerts are in place in several areas across the country and motorists are advised to contact the Highways Agency if roads start to flood with a build-up of surface water. The RAC is predicting that 13 million people will take to the roads from December 24 to 26.

Drivers are being urged to check the latest flood updates ahead of their journey - and to not to drive through dangerous floodwater.

The Environment Agency and the AA strongly advise not entering flood water that is moving or more than 10cm deep.

Many delayed passengers vented their frustration on Twitter

David Jordan, Director of Operations at the Environment Agency, said: "Tragically people die because they've taken risks and attempted to drive through flood water just to save a few minutes.

The Met Office 'Be Aware' warning covers the whole UK

"Flood water is dangerous. If there is widespread flooding in your area then don't travel and if a road is closed then turn around and make a detour. Your journey could take you a little longer but making the right decision could ultimately save your life."

Sky News Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Very strong winds are expected on Monday as the deep area of low pressure across the southwest moves northwards past the Western Isles of Scotland.

"Gusts are expected to reach 60mph almost everywhere during the afternoon. During the evening and overnight, wind gusts may reach 70-80mph across central and south-eastern parts of England.

"Heavy rain is also expected to spread eastwards to most of the UK during the afternoon and overnight. So it will be a very wet and very windy day for all areas."

The worst of the weather is expected to clear by the end of Christmas Eve.

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10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rolf Harris Faces Three More Assault Charges

Rolf Harris is to be prosecuted over three more allegations of indecent assault, including one relating to a seven or eight-year-old girl.

Harris already faces 13 other counts after being charged on August 29, 2013.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the first new charge is one offence of indecent assault of a 19-year-old girl in 1984 - the same complainant as six of the existing charges.

The other new charges are one offence of indecent assault of a girl aged seven or eight, in 1968 or 1969, and one offence of indecent assault of a girl aged 14, in 1975. 

Harris, 83, will next appear at London's Southwark Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on January 14.

His trial is scheduled to begin on April 30.

The 13 original charges against the Australian-born artist, musician and TV presenter relate to nine allegations of indecent assault and four of making indecent images of a child.

Harris was arrested by officers working on Operation Yewtree, the national investigation launched after abuse claims were made against Jimmy Savile, but the allegations against him have no connection to Savile.

He is currently on bail on the conditions that he does not contact prosecution witnesses, lives at his home address and does not spend time with anyone under 18 without being accompanied by someone over 21.

Harris, who has lived in Bray, Berkshire, for more than 50 years, has been in the public eye for decades.

He fronted the popular TV programme Animal Hospital and had several musical hits.

He painted a portrait of the Queen in 2005 and performed at her Diamond Jubilee concert last year.

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10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Migrants: Cameron Warned UK Faces Isolation

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

The Bulgarian President has warned David Cameron that he risks being judged by history as a Prime Minister who has isolated the UK and damaged its reputation.

Rosen Plevneliev said his countrymen were watching Britain's immigration debate unfold and raising questions about the "democratic, tolerant and humane British society".

It comes as Nick Clegg says the Lib Dems will not accept any further curbs to migrants and a Tory backbencher warns that the rhetoric on immigration could stop non-white people voting Conservative.

The stinging criticism - in an interview with The Observer newspaper - comes just 10 days before transitional controls on Romanian and Bulgarian migrants are lifted.

The Observer leads with a rebuke by the Bulgarian President

Some think-tanks have warned that 50,000 people could arrive from the two countries each year.

Mr Cameron has reacted to concerns about the move with a string of interventions including to limit access to benefits for those travelling to the UK.

And at the European Council meeting in Brussels this week he threatened to veto the EU accession of new countries such as Albania and Serbia without strict new immigration rules.

One idea put forward by the PM is to set a GDP limit below which countries will not be given free movement of labour if they join the EU.

Mr Plevneliev said he feared for the safety of Bulgarians in Britain. He said "iron curtains" should not remain in the 20th century, arguing that this was a time to bring down walls, not to build them.

"Mr Cameron should never forget that a politician is remembered in history not with the everyday business," he said.

Mr Clegg makes his comments in the Sunday Times. He has supported the crackdown on benefits for immigrants saying the right to move and work is not the same as the right to claim.

"But this is where we draw the line," he says, rejecting talk of "arbitrary" caps on EU nationals. That was a policy idea being considered by the Home Office that was leaked to the media in recent weeks.

Mr Clegg's party is traditionally liberal on immigration and did support an amnesty for illegal immigrants before the last election. But public fears have led the Lib Dems to drop the pledge, admitting that public trust in the immigration system is broken and it would be asking too much.

Mark Field, a Conservative backbencher, has also entered the debate saying the tough talk on immigration could turn off non-white voters.

He has warned Mr Cameron not to repeat the mistakes made by Mitt Romney, the US Republican candidate, in 2012. He said failure to reach out to the Hispanic community had meant it had failed to understand his stance on immigration.

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Colorado School Shooting: Teen Victim Dies

A Colorado student has died in hospital more than a week after she was shot by a high school classmate.

Claire Esther Davis, 17, had been in a coma since she was gunned down at point-blank range at Arapahoe High School in Centennial.

Friends and well-wishers had been posting messages online, and raising money to pay for her medical care.

Authorities say Karl Halverson Pierson, 18, entered the Arapahoe High School armed with a shotgun, a machete and three Molotov cocktails on December 13.

Officials said Pierson had been kicked off the school's debate team and apparently bore a grudge towards the team's coach.

His attack lasted just 80 seconds. He reportedly fired one bullet down a school hallway, before shooting Ms Davis, who was sitting nearby with a friend.

Pierson then turned the gun on himself and inflicted a fatal gunshot wound.

A student stands outside the Arapahoe High School in Colorado

A statement posted on the Littleton Adventist Hospital's Facebook page confirmed Ms Davis' death.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share that at 4.29pm (local time) this afternoon, Claire Davis passed away, with her family at her side," the statement said.

"Despite the best efforts of our physicians and nursing staff, and Claire's fighting spirit, her injuries were too severe and the most advanced medical treatments could not prevent this tragic loss of life.

"Claire's death is immensely heartbreaking for our entire community, our staff and our families."

The hospital said that details about a public memorial service would be released later.

The shooting took place just a few miles from the site of last year's Aurora cinema shooting that left 12 people dead and scores wounded during a Batman movie screening.

The school is also located close to the scene of the 1999 Columbine shooting in which 13 were shot dead.

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