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Eurozone Agrees To Extend Greek Bailout

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 21 Februari 2015 | 16.08

Eurozone finance ministers have agreed to extend Greece's rescue loans - although not by as long as the government wanted.

The deal, which will enable Athens to continue paying its bills, was reached at talks in Brussels which were delayed for four hours as ministers worked on a draft accord.

Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the eurozone's top official and the Dutch finance minister, said Athens had asked for a six-month extension but this was rejected.

"Four months is the appropriate delay in terms of financing and future challenges," he said.

The agreement was clinched just a week before Greece's €240bn (£178bn) bailout expires, leaving just enough time for some member country parliaments to endorse it.

As part of the deal Greece must provide a list of economic and other reforms based on the current bailout programme by Monday.

This will be reviewed on Tuesday by the European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission.

If the three institutions do not believe the proposals go far enough, the list will be revised with a view to it being agreed by the end of April.

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said the deal would mark a new era for Athens and its relations with the European Union.

"Today was a pivotal moment because Greece for five years now has been lonely, isolated in the Eurogroup. Today that isolation has broken," Mr Varoufakis said.

He said Greece had not used any threats or bluff to get the agreement and added it was a small step in a new direction for the country.

Markets reacted positively to the deal, with the Dow and S&P 500 surging to fresh records on Wall Street.

Mr Dijsselbloem said it was a "first step in this process of rebuilding trust" between Greece and its euro partners and allows for a strategy to get the country "back on track."

"Trust leaves quicker than it comes," he said.

Mr Dijsselbloem worked flat out on Friday to secure an agreement as Germany insisted Greece stick with the austerity commitments included in its bailout programme.

The fraught discussions focused on a new package of concessions beyond those contained in the formal request for a loan extension submitted on Thursday.

Greece has ruled out another bailout like the existing one, saying the people who swept the anti-austerity Syriza party to power last month would not tolerate it.

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  1. Gallery: Art War On The Streets Of Athens

    Athens has become a Mecca for street artists as anger grows over the impact of Greece's bailout deal with Europe

Wall paintings have sprung up all over the city reflecting the general frustration at rising unemployment and falling living standards

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16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Race To Find Girls Feared To Be On Way To Syria

Three schoolgirls are feared to have run away from east London with plans to travel to Syria and join Islamic State.

Police said the close friends were last seen on Tuesday morning as they left their homes telling their families they would be out for the day.

Instead they met and travelled to Gatwick airport before boarding a Turkish Airlines flight, which landed at Istanbul that evening.

The three - Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and a third female aged 15 who is not being named at the request of her family - are pupils at Bethnal Green Academy and have been described as "straight-A students".

Metropolitan Police Commander Richard Walton said he was "extremely concerned" for their safety.

He revealed the runaways are good friends with another 15-year-old girl who fled to Syria in December.

"We are concerned about the numbers of girls and young women who have or are intending to travel to the part of Syria that is controlled by the terrorist group calling themselves Islamic State," Mr Walton said.

"It is an extremely dangerous place and we have seen reports of what life is like for them and how restricted their lives become.

"It is not uncommon for girls or women to be prevented from being allowed out of their houses or if allowed out, only when accompanied by a guardian.

"The choice of returning home from Syria is often taken away from those under the control of Islamic State, leaving their families in the UK devastated and with very few options to secure their safe return."

Mr Walton added the teenagers' families were "devastated" but there was a "good chance" the girls were still in Turkey.

All three have mobile phones, and police are using Turkish media and social media in the hopes of reaching them.

Salman Farsi, spokesman for their local East London Mosque, said: "They have been misled. I do not know what was promised to them. It is just sad. We have not had anything like this before in our community.

"I think the girls need to know they have done nothing wrong. They have been manipulated."

A family friend of one of the missing girls told Sky News: "It's really sad what has happened.

"Maybe they need to educate people more, tell them about the risks of going to Syria, that it's not safe out there."

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The idea of 15-year-old British schoolgirls setting off to Syria is very disturbing, and shows that more action is urgently needed to stop young people being drawn into extremism and conflict, and to help families and communities who are trying to counteract extremist recruitment messages."

The number of Westerners who have travelled to Iraq and Syria to join IS is thought to be about 3,000, including as many as 550 women, according to the London-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Former Metropolitan Police border control officer Chris Hobbs told Sky News that checks for people departing from UK airports made it a "walk in the park for jihadis and girls like this" to leave.

"At the moment you go through security, you get on the plane, you might be checked by a private security guard," he said.

"Unless you're very unlucky you won't pass under the eyes of anyone from UK law enforcement.

"If you're on a watch list then you will ping the system. If you're not on the radar then the odds are you will get on the plane without too many problems."

Police have released descriptions of the girls: 

:: Shamima Begum, 15

Shamima is around 5ft 7in tall and was wearing black, thick-rimmed glasses, a black hijab, a light brown and black leopard-print scarf, a dark red jumper, black trousers and jacket.

She was carrying a dark blue cylindrical holdall with white straps. She is a British national of Bangladeshi heritage and speaks English with a London accent. She also speaks Bengali.

:: Kadiza Sultana, 16

Kadiza is described as 5ft 6in tall and slim, and was wearing black-rimmed glasses, a long black jacket with a hood, grey striped scarf, grey jumper, dark red trousers and was carrying a black holdall.

She is a British national of Bangladeshi heritage and speaks English with a London accent. She also speaks Bengali.

:: Third Missing Girl, 15

The third girl, who is not being named, is German but living in London. She is described as 5ft 6in tall and slim. She was wearing black, thick-rimmed glasses, a black head scarf, a long dark green jacket with a fur-lined hood, a light yellow long-sleeved top, black trousers and white trainers.

She was carrying a black Nike holdall. She speaks English and Amharic.


16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fire Engulfs Dubai's Torch Tower Skyscraper

A huge fire engulfed part of the Torch Tower in Dubai in the early hours of this morning, forcing hundreds of people to flee the 1,100ft skyscraper.

Witnesses said the blaze appeared to have started at around 2am in the middle of the residential building, rapidly spreading across some 15 floors.

In several videos posted on social media websites, multiple floors of the high-rise were seen ablaze.

Strong winds fanned the flames and burning debris from the fire could be seen falling from building.

One witness said flames shot out from two sides of the building as glass and metal rained down from near the summit of the structure.

Another witness said it looked "like the Titanic going down", according to Gulfnews.com.

One resident, Briton Steve Short, 53, from Liverpool, praised the work of firefighters who arrived quickly.

He said fire alarms alerted people to the blaze and building management sent workers knocking on doors to ensure residents got out.

Residents of at least one neighbouring tower were told to evacuate as a precaution because of high winds, but they were later allowed back inside.

It took firefighters several hours before they extinguished the blaze, according to a witness at the scene.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. Officials said there were no reports of casualties.

Opened in 2011, the Torch Tower has 79 floors and is one of the world's tallest residential buildings.

It is located in the Marina district of the city which is home to dozens of towering apartment blocks and hotels, many of them built over the past decade.

The apartments are popular with Dubai's large number of expatriate professionals.

Dubai, known for its skyline of hugely varied skyscrapers, has seen fires at towers in the past.

In 2012, a huge blaze gutted the 34-Tamweel tower in the nearby Jumeirah Lake Towers district. It was later revealed to have been caused by a cigarette butt thrown into a bin.


16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Russia A 'Real And Present Danger' To NATO States

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 19 Februari 2015 | 16.08

There is a "real and present danger" Russia could repeat its covert campaigns in the Crimea and Ukraine to destablise former Soviet bloc countries, the Defence Secretary has warned.

Michael Fallon said NATO must be ready for Russian aggression against alliance members including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

He warned the action could involve using irregular troops, cyber attacks and inflaming tensions with ethnic Russian minorities.

"NATO has to be ready for any kind of aggression from Russia, whatever form it takes. NATO is getting ready," he said.

Mr Fallon added that he was worried about Russian President Vladimir Putin's "pressure on the Baltics".

Earlier this month, two long-range Russian bombers flew down the English Channel off the coast of Bournemouth.

"It is the first time since the height of the Cold War that has happened and it just shows you the need to respond each time he does something like that," he added.

His comments come after Prime Minister David Cameron urged Europe to tell Russia it faces economic and financial consequences for "years to come" if it continues to destabilise Ukraine.

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  1. Gallery: Nov 1: RAF Redirects Russia Bombers

    Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian military 'Bear' bombers for the second time in a week, it has emerged (Pic: MoD)

The aircraft were were sent up from RAF Lossiemouth on Friday, 31 October, to escort the Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft (Pic: MoD)

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16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Childcare Costs Can Mean 'It Doesn't Pay To Work'

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

The cost of childcare is rising so quickly that for many families "it simply does not pay to work", a report has concluded.

The price of a part-time nursery place for a child under two has gone up by almost a third in the last five years with parents now being forced to pay more than £6,000 a year.

The annual survey, carried out by the Family and Childcare Trust, found that on average in England, Scotland and Wales sending a child to nursery for 25 hours a week costs £115.45.

That is 5.1% more than last year and 32.8% more than in 2010.

Parents who employ child minders are also paying more. The average cost of £104.06 per week is up 4.3% on last year.

"The reality is that for too many families it simply does not pay to work," the report said.

At Kidz R Us day nursery in Salford, Greater Manchester, parents told Sky News that paying for childcare takes up a significant portion of their income.

Mother-of-three Jennifer Lee said: "I'm a full time teacher and my partner's a fireman. You'd expect with two decent salaries to be able to cope financially, but it is difficult."

Amy Cooke said more than half her salary goes on paying for part-time childcare for her 15-month-old daughter Lilah.

If she has any more children or if nursery prices rise further she may have leave her job.

"I'd probably have to give up work and do it that way because my entire wage would go on childcare, so it wouldn't be worth it."

Stephen Dunmore, chief executive of the Family and Childcare Trust, has welcomed Government investment in childcare but says more needs to be done.

"In spite of several positive initiatives, including more funding for free early education, the childcare system in Britain needs radical reform," he said.

"In the run-up to the General Election this May we want to see all political parties commit to an independent review of childcare. Britain needs a simple system that promotes quality, supports parents and delivers for children."

The issue of childcare costs is likely to feature highly in the coming months, with politicians keen to use today's report to score political points.

Labour's shadow minister for childcare and children, Alison McGovern MP, said "These figures lay bare the extent of David Cameron's failure - he is badly letting down working families.

"Since 2010 the failing Tory plan has seen the costs of childcare soar. On top of this, there are over 40,000 fewer childcare places and wages are down £1,600 a year on average."

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: "This report only relates to the prices parents pay after they receive the Government's offer of 15 hours of free childcare.

"It therefore neglects the record amount of fully funded childcare we are giving - savings worth a maximum of almost £9,000 per child."


16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Exclusive: Ukraine Firefight Caught On Video

Exclusive: Ukraine Firefight Caught On Video

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Sky News has obtained exclusive video of a prolonged gun battle between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian government troops in the besieged eastern town of Debaltseve.

It was shot by a television crew who were with rebel forces and interviewing a prisoner of war when the firefight began.

Hundreds of Ukrainian troops have pulled out from Debaltseve following battles with pro-Russian forces.

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko has said his soldiers had left in a "planned and organised withdrawal" from the strategically important area.

A Russian TV station showed separatists hoisting their flag over a building as they seized the railway hub in defiance of a ceasefire brokered by France and Germany.

Some 2,000 pro-government forces have been fighting there but Mr Poroshenko denied claims the troops were encircled, and said they were leaving with weapons and ammunition.

However, some troops were believed to be trapped in the town, which links the two rebel-controlled regions in the east of Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk.

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  1. Gallery: Ukraine Troops Leave Debaltseve

    Pro-Russian separatists take position near the eastern Ukrainian city of Uglegorsk, 6 kms southwest of Debaltseve

Pro-Russian rebels stationed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, Donetsk region, launch missiles from Grad launch vehicles

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Pro-Russian separatists patrol a street in the eastern Ukrainian city of Makeyevka

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Ukrainian troops pulled out of the besieged flashpoint eastern town Debaltseve after it was stormed by pro-Russian rebels in what the EU said was a "clear violation" of an internationally-backed truce

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President Petro Poroshenko said 80% of units had left the town, in order to comply with the current ceasefire

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Exclusive: Ukraine Firefight Caught On Video

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Sky News has obtained exclusive video of a prolonged gun battle between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian government troops in the besieged eastern town of Debaltseve.

It was shot by a television crew who were with rebel forces and interviewing a prisoner of war when the firefight began.

Hundreds of Ukrainian troops have pulled out from Debaltseve following battles with pro-Russian forces.

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko has said his soldiers had left in a "planned and organised withdrawal" from the strategically important area.

A Russian TV station showed separatists hoisting their flag over a building as they seized the railway hub in defiance of a ceasefire brokered by France and Germany.

Some 2,000 pro-government forces have been fighting there but Mr Poroshenko denied claims the troops were encircled, and said they were leaving with weapons and ammunition.

However, some troops were believed to be trapped in the town, which links the two rebel-controlled regions in the east of Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk.

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  1. Gallery: Ukraine Troops Leave Debaltseve

    Pro-Russian separatists take position near the eastern Ukrainian city of Uglegorsk, 6 kms southwest of Debaltseve

Pro-Russian rebels stationed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, Donetsk region, launch missiles from Grad launch vehicles

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Pro-Russian separatists patrol a street in the eastern Ukrainian city of Makeyevka

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Ukrainian troops pulled out of the besieged flashpoint eastern town Debaltseve after it was stormed by pro-Russian rebels in what the EU said was a "clear violation" of an internationally-backed truce

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President Petro Poroshenko said 80% of units had left the town, in order to comply with the current ceasefire

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16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Energy: Big Six Profit From Switching Failure

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 18 Februari 2015 | 16.08

A competition inquiry into the energy market has found suppliers routinely charging loyal customers up to £234 more per year.

The Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) update on its continuing probe into the sector also contained criticism of the energy regulator's powers - as reported by Sky News on Tuesday evening - saying excessive regulation at Ofgem may be creating barriers to new market entrants.

The key finding in the CMA's updated Issues Statement for consumers concerned the power of switching supplier, with the regulator declaring that long-term customers - many deemed vulnerable - were paying a higher price for failing to move between energy companies.

It said 95% of dual fuel customers of the so-called big six suppliers could have saved an average of between £158 and £234 a year by switching.

It found British Gas, SSE, Scottish Power, E.ON, npower and EDF, earned 12% more from a customer on a standard - instead of fixed - dual fuel tariff.

The report stated: "The evidence that we have seen to date also suggests that the gross margins that the six large energy firms earn are higher for customers on the SVT (Standard Variable Tariff) than for those on non-standard tariffs over the last three years." 

While the Issues Statement does not contain any formal conclusions by the CMA, the ongoing designation of industry regulation as a key focus will embarrass Ofgem at a time when its leadership is under intense political pressure.

Labour has vowed to freeze prices for 20 months if it wins the General Election in May, a pledge which sparked fury among big six suppliers.

They recently cut standard gas tariffs by up to 5.1% in response to a 30% dip in wholesale prices but argue raw energy makes up less than 50% of a bill and they have to pay up to three years up front for their supplies.

They point to the growing cost of green levies and network costs.

Crucially for the big six suppliers, the CMA found that their average profit margin across gas and electricity was 3.3%, with gas being the more profitable of the two.

But the report questions whether the market is working for consumers as almost half of households have been with the same supplier for more than 10 years.

This week, the Government launched a campaign with the slogan "Power To Switch", which is designed to encourage consumers to shop around to find cheaper energy deals.

Provisional findings of the CMA's inquiry will be published in May.

It is expected to stop short of recommending that the big six firms split their generation and supply arms - as some critics have demanded - to give greater clarity on profits.

Energy UK, the industry body which speaks for suppliers, said: "The energy industry continues to support the work of the Competition and Markets Authority and has already introduced a range of voluntary measures, moving towards greater openness and transparency.

"Today is the next stage in the process with conclusions expected later this year.

The industry will review today's releases over the coming weeks with a view to engaging further with the investigation. Individual members will be able to contribute to the debate as the rest of the investigation progresses."


16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chelsea Fans Stop Black Man Boarding Train

Chelsea have condemned the behaviour of fans who prevented a black man getting on a train in Paris as "abhorrent".

A video shows the commuter trying to board a metro train at Richelieu-Drouot station in the French capital.

A group of supporters are seen shouting and gesturing at the man and chanting "Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea", before pushing him onto the platform as he tries to step into the carriage.

When he tries again to board the train, the man points to a space where he could stand but is pushed back as he steps forward.

The fans then chant: "We're racist, we're racist, and that's the way we like it."

The supporters are also heard chanting: "Where were you in World War Two?"

They are believed to have been travelling to the Parc des Princes stadium for Chelsea's Champions League game against Paris St Germain on Tuesday night, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

British expatriate Paul Nolan, who filmed the incident on his phone and posted it on The Guardian's website, said: "He was obviously completely shocked when they pushed him off.

"I don't think he realised who they were. He then tried to get on again and got pushed off a second time."

In a statement, Chelsea said it will take action if members are found to have been involved.

"Such behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football or society," the club said.

"We will support any criminal action against those involved, and should evidence point to involvement of Chelsea season-ticket holders or members the club will take the strongest possible action against them, including banning orders."


16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Reports: Ukraine Troops Leaving Key Town

Some Ukrainian troops are pulling out of the town of Debaltseve following fierce fighting with pro-Russian rebels, pro-government commanders have said.

The Ukrainian commander of a pro-Kiev paramilitary unit said troops were leaving the strategically important town in a "planned and organised" way.

Semen Semenchenko said on Facebook: "The enemy is trying to cut the roads and prevent the exit of the troops."

A pro-Russian rebel official cited by the separatist press service DAN said hundreds of government troops are surrendering to separatist forces in the town.

"In Debaltseve there is a massive surrender of weapons by (Ukrainian) forces. These people number in the hundreds," DAN quoted Maksim Leshchenko as saying.

Associated Press reporters on the road to the government-controlled town of Artemivsk reported seeing several dozens Ukrainian troops retreating from Debaltseve on Wednesday morning.

Fighting has continued there despite a ceasefire between Ukraine government forces and rebels coming into force on Sunday.

Sky's Stuart Ramsay, who is in eastern Ukraine, said "there is a lot of fighting going on" and there is a "constant sound of artillery".

Russia's Interfax news agency is reporting that Pro-Moscow rebels have started to withdraw heavy weapons from areas they control in eastern Ukraine where fighting has stopped.

Ukrainian military spokesman Anatoliy Stelmakh said on Wednesday that rebels had launched five artillery strikes on Debaltseve overnight, "grossly violating the peace accords".

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  1. Gallery: Debaltseve Has Become Centre Of Ukraine Conflict

    Ukrainian armed forces take up positions near the eastern town of Debaltseve.

A ceasefire came into effect on Sunday, but fighting has continued in Debaltseve, where pro-Russian rebels claim to have surrounded thousands of Ukrainian fighters.

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Teach Primary School Kids About Sex, MPs Say

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 17 Februari 2015 | 16.08

By Gerard Tubb, Sky News Correspondent

Primary school children should be taught about sex and relationships to keep them safe from abuse, according to a committee of MPs.

Youngsters have a right to the information and should be taught about it during their schooling, the Commons education select committee says.

A report by the committee is one of two published today which blame the Government for not doing enough, with the Office of the Children's Commissioner echoing the call for statutory sex education.

The study by MPs says the Government should introduce age-appropriate relationships and sex education (RSE) as a statutory subject in primary and secondary schools.

But they also said parents should retain their right to withdrawn their children from lessons.

Committee chair Graham Stuart MP said: "Young people have a right to information that will keep them healthy and safe.

"PSHE builds character and resilience, and will help young people to live happy and healthy lives."

Meanwhile, in a report on the state of child protection in England, Sue Berelowitz, deputy children's commissioner for England, said more work needs to be done to identify and help abuse victims and children at risk of sexual exploitation.

"Once again we are calling for age-appropriate relationships and sex education to be made a statutory component of the curriculum," she said.

"Young people need to understand what are and what are not healthy relationships."

At present primary schools do not have to provide sex and relationships lessons outside the science curriculum, while state secondary schools have to cover sexually transmitted diseases as part of science for students aged 14 to 16-year-olds.

Academies do not have to offer sex and relationships education, but if they do they must take into account the Government's guidance.

Responding to the MPs' findings, a Department for Education spokesperson said: "We are aware that more needs to be done to raise the quality of teaching in this area and we will consider the findings of this report carefully."


16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM: Young Unemployed Will Work For Benefits

Young people out of work or not in education or training for six months will need to do unpaid work to claim benefits under welfare reforms drawn up by the Conservative Party.

The reforms mean people aged between 18 and 21 will have to do 30 hours of community work each week and 10 hours of job-hunting to qualify for benefits.

The work will begin from day one of their claim. It could involve preparing meals for elderly people or working at charities.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the reforms seek to end long-term youth unemployment and help youngsters understand that "welfare is not a one-way street".

The scheme - called the Community Work Programme - extends already-announced Conservative plans to abolish Jobseeker's Allowance, replacing it with a Youth Allowance.

Claimants will be required to undertake an apprenticeship or community work to receive their benefits after half a year on the Youth Allowance.

Mr Cameron is expected to announce the scheme during a speech in England's South East later today.

Speaking ahead of the speech, he said: "Our welfare reforms are a key part of our long-term economic plan.

"They are not just about saving money. They are about changing lives and making this a country that rewards work and gives everyone the chance of a better future.

"That is why we are taking further steps to help young people make something of their lives. Our goal in the next parliament is effectively to abolish long-term youth unemployment.

"We want to get rid of that well-worn path from the school gate, down to the jobcentre, and on to a life on benefits."

"For those 18 to 21-year-olds who have not been in employment, training or education for six months before they sign on, we are going to take intensive action.

"What these young people need is work experience and the order and discipline of turning up for work each day.

"So a Conservative government would require them to do daily community work from the very start of their claim, as well as searching for work."


16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Charge Copenhagen Attack Suspects

Written By Unknown on Senin, 16 Februari 2015 | 16.08

Police say two men arrested over a deadly shooting in Copenhagen have been charged with aiding the suspected gunman.

A massive manhunt was launched in the wake of the shootings, which left two dead and five police officers injured.

By the early hours of Sunday officers believed they had caught the killer after suspect Omar-el Hussein was shot dead near a train station. The two men were later arrested nearby.

Reporting from Copenhagen, Sky's Ian Woods said: "We are hearing that police have charged two people that they detained with aiding the man suspected of shooting dead these people in that terrorist attack.

"I'm told one of them was arrested at an internet cafe and the other was arrested five hours earlier in the morning.

"I am told they are being charged in connection with hiding him after the initial gun attack at the cafe in Copenhagen early on Saturday afternoon, and also with supplying the weapon used. They will appear before a judge in a closed court session."

The first attack happened shortly before 3pm UK time on Saturday when a gunman opened fire outside a cafe where a panel was discussing freedom of speech.

Documentary film maker Finn Noergaard, 55, who was attending the event in the Krudttoenden cultural centre, was killed and three officers were injured after the shooter, armed with an automatic weapon, fired through the windows leaving dozens of bullet holes.

Shortly after midnight UK time, a second attack happened outside a synagogue in Krystalgade, where a Jewish man was killed after being shot in the head and two police officers were wounded.

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  1. Gallery: Two Killed In Cafe And Synagogue Shootings

    Two people have been killed and five police officers were injured in two shootings in the Danish capital Copenhagen. This is the scene of the cafe attack on Saturday

He was later shot dead by officers here, near one of the city's train stations, after reportedly opening fire on them

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16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ukrainian Soldiers Killed Despite Ceasefire

Four Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in attacks by separatists since a ceasefire came into force, according to reports.

The ceasefire came into force on Sunday morning, but a Kiev military source has reported four deaths since then.

A further 21 Ukrainian soldiers have been wounded, the source added.

Occasional shelling and gunfire has been heard close to the flashpoint town of Debaltseve in the country's east. It is on the frontline between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists.

The ceasefire agreement was reached following talks in the Belarus capital Minsk led by France and Germany.

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  1. Gallery: Ukraine Truce Hopes To End Months Of Bloodshed

    Pro-Russian separatists drive a tank through the streets of Donetsk in Ukraine's east. Most of the frontline has fallen silent since the ceasefire was enforced, Kiev officials say

Two members of the armed forces from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic stand guard at a checkpoint near the town

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16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Egypt Bombs Libya Targets After Beheadings

Egypt's military says it has bombed Islamic State (IS) targets in Libya, a day after the group released a video purporting to show the beheading of 21 Egyptians.

The attack, in which Libya's air force also took part, focused on camps, training sites and weapons storage areas across Egypt's border with Libya.

A Libyan air force commander, quoted by Egyptian state television, said 40-50 militants were killed.

A spokesman for Egypt's Armed Forces General Command said the strikes were "to avenge the bloodshed and to seek retribution from the killers".

"Let those far and near know that Egyptians have a shield that protects them," the statement added.

State television broadcast footage of fighter jets it said were taking off to conduct the airstrikes.

The strikes come after video emerged showing 21 handcuffed hostages dressed in orange jumpsuits being murdered by militants identified as being from the Tripoli Province of IS.

In the latest issue of the IS online magazine Dabiq, the group had said the same number of Egyptian hostages were being held in Libya.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron described the killings as "a cruel and barbaric act", adding: "We will not waver in our fight against terrorists and extremism."

White House spokesman Josh Earnest described the act as "despicable and cowardly".

In the aftermath, Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah al Sisi, threatened to carry out a "suitable" punishment.

As well as the Egyptian airstrikes, Libya's air force also said it had launched airstrikes in the eastern city of Darna, which was taken over by an IS affiliate last year.

Saqer al Joroushi said the strikes by war planes loyal to the official government had been coordinated with Egypt and more would follow on Monday and Tuesday.

Witnesses said there were at least seven airstrikes in Darna.

In January, the IS branch in Libya claimed it had abducted 21 Egyptian Christians.

The country's foreign ministry confirmed at the time that 20 Egyptians had been kidnapped in two separate incidents in Libya.

Relatives of those kidnapped have gathered in Cairo in recent days to call for the hostages to be released.

Egypt's Copts are the largest Christian community in the Middle East and are estimated to account for around 10% of the country's population.

Thousands of Egyptians have headed to Libya to work since the Egyptian uprising in 2011, despite government advice that they should stay away from the country.

The killings raise the possibility that the militants have established a direct affiliate less than 500 miles (800km) from the southern tip of Italy.

One of the fighters in the video makes a direct reference to this, saying the group now plans to "conquer Rome".

IS already controls around a third of Iraq and Syria in a self-declared caliphate.


16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

HSBC Issues Apology Over Banking Standards

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 15 Februari 2015 | 16.08

HSBC has taken out full-page adverts in several national newspapers offering "sincerest apologies" for the standards in place at its Swiss operations eight years ago.

In the open letter to its customers, shareholders and colleagues, the bank's group chief executive Stuart Gulliver described recent media coverage about past practices at the Swiss Private Bank as a "painful experience".

The advert states: "We would like to provide some reassurance and state some of the facts that lie behind the stories.

"The media focus has been on historical events that show the standards to which we operate today were not universally in place in our Swiss operations eight years ago.

"We must show we understand that the societies we serve expect more from us. We therefore offer our sincerest apologies."

The bank added that since 2008 it had established a "much tighter central control around who are our customers".

It said it had also implemented tougher standards around tax transparency.

Earlier this week Mr Gulliver sent a memo to the bank's staff saying the revelations were painful and frustrating.

The adverts come amid a political row over tax avoidance, with Labour leader Ed Miliband on Saturday vowing to carry out an inquiry into the UK's tax authority should his party win power in the next General Election.

Mr Miliband argued that people not paying their fair share of tax had left "a £34bn hole in the nation's finances" and threatened "the fabric of society".

Promising an "aggressive" review into Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if his party wins in May, Mr Miliband pointed to suspicions of "sweetheart deals" with wealthy firms.

This week Mr Miliband seized on allegations about tax avoidance by HSBC clients to brand Prime Minister David Cameron a "dodgy Prime Minister, surrounded by dodgy donors".

After a week of clashes between Mr Miliband and Mr Cameron, the former Tory chancellor Ken Clarke said there needs to be agreement on a "more sensible and defensible" system for funding political parties.

Mr Clarke told The Observer newspaper that the Conservatives should break their reliance on wealthy donors and embrace the need for more state funding of politics.

"I think the Conservative Party will be strengthened if it is less dependent on having to raise money from wealthy individuals," he said.

"What happens is that the Conservatives attack the Labour Party for being ever more dependent on rather unrepresentative left-wing trade union leaders, and the Labour Party spends all its time attacking the Conservative Party for being dependent on rather unrepresentative wealthy businessmen.

"In a way both criticisms are true. And the media sends both up.

"The solution is for the party leaders to get together, to agree, put on their tin hats and move to a more sensible and ultimately more defensible system."

:: There will be more on the HSBC tax row on the Murnaghan programme from 10am which will include an interview with Business Secretary Vince Cable. Watch live on skynews.com and Sky News - channels Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 132.


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Tensions In Ukraine As Truce Deadline Passes

A ceasefire deadline has passed in Ukraine - but both sides are accusing each other of violating the deal.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko ordered government forces to stop firing at 10pm UK time on Saturday, under a plan agreed in Belarus this week.

The military said Ukrainian armed forces immediately fulfilled Mr Poroshenko's order and guns fell silent in Donetsk and some other parts of the country's east.

Under the peace agreement, both Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatist rebels were to hold their fire, before pulling back their heavy weaponry to form a wide buffer zone.

There were reports of continued fighting and movement of military vehicles right up to the deadline, and after it had passed government forces and rebels said there were violations in the first few hours.

A Ukraine military spokesman has said rebels shelled its positions 10 times after the truce began, but that the ceasefire is being observed "in general".

A pro-Kiev official says two civilians were killed by rockets fired by rebels just after the start of the truce, the AFP news agency is reporting.

Mr Poroshenko admitted there was "alarm" over the situation around the key transport hub of Debaltseve, where government forces have been hard pressed by Russian-backed separatists.

During the day on Saturday, intense fighting continued around the strategic government-held area.

Earlier in the week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said 8,000 Ukrainian soldiers were besieged by separatists around the town and would have to lay down their weapons.

Rebels told the Associated Press news agency they will not consider any battles for the town to be a violation of the ceasefire.

The intensity of the fighting around Debaltseve and elsewhere raises doubts about whether the ceasefire will hold.

The White House said President Barack Obama spoke to Mr Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday and expressed concern about the violence.

The French presidency said Mr Putin reaffirmed in a phone call with his French and German counterparts on Saturday that the ceasefire must be respected.

The statement also said the three leaders will speak by phone with Mr Poroshenko on Sunday to take stock of the ceasefire.


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Suspect In Deadly Danish Shootings Is Killed

A man shot dead by police near a Copenhagen train station is believed to be behind two fatal attacks hours earlier in the city.

Danish officers said they had killed the man after he opened fire on them close to Norrebro Station.

They said CCTV indicated he was responsible for an attack at a cafe on Saturday afternoon and another two miles away at a synagogue, just hours later.

Investigators said there was nothing to suggest other gunmen were involved in the shootings that left two people dead and five police officers wounded.

The attack at the city's main synagogue in Krystalgade just after midnight UK time saw one man killed after being shot in the head and two policemen also shot, one in the arm and the other in the leg.

A major manhunt was already under way after the first attack, in which one man was killed and three police officers injured when a gunman opened fire at a cafe where a meeting on free speech was taking place.

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt described the assault on the seminar as "a terrorist attack", while the United States called it "deplorable".

The Copenhagen attacks had echoes of last month's Paris shootings, where Islamist gunmen targeted the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a kosher supermarket.

The chairman of the Nordic Jewish Security Council, Michael Gelvan, said the man shot dead at the synagogue was Jewish.

He described the victim as a "young man", who he said had been responsible for "access control" at the place of worship.

Police had earlier said the gunman responsible for the synagogue attack fled on foot, and urged people in the centre of the city to remain indoors.

Sky News cameraman Pete Milnes, who was in a hotel next to the synagogue when the shootings took place, said: "There was a succession of about six or seven gunshots.

"Within a minute or so, armed police were on the scene, a helicopter was hovering overhead. I witnessed police apprehend an individual who was handcuffed and later released.

"There were 20 to 30 armed police officers with semi-automatic rifles shouting at locals to stay indoors and close windows."

He said the scene was now calmer.

"There's probably a dozen or so armed officers and a few detectives with sniffer dogs who seem to be combing the area ... and lifting drain covers," he said.

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  1. Gallery: Two Killed In Cafe And Synagogue Shootings

    Two people have been killed and five police officers were injured in two shootings in the Danish capital Copenhagen. This is the scene of the cafe attack on Saturday

He was later shot dead by officers here, near one of the city's train stations, after reportedly opening fire on them

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