2018 National & International News Stories.

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Latest post of the previous page:

Could nuisance callers lead to the death of the landline? Two thirds of Britons admit ignoring their home phone to avoid scammers

They used to be considered as essential in virtually every British home. But landline telephones are in danger of being relegated to museum pieces, thanks to the rise of nuisance callers.
Nearly two thirds of Britons now ignore their landlines in order to avoid cold calls and scammers.
Millions of people let their calls go to voicemail so that they can screen who it is that is trying to contact them. But others ignore the calls altogether.
The findings – in a new TalkTalk report – come amid growing evidence that cold calls in the UK have reached epidemic proportions.
Earlier this month, it emerged that Britons were bombarded with 2.2million nuisance phone calls and texts about PPI, pensions and insurance scams last year.
Nearly 900million of those calls and texts came from ambulance-chasing firms trying to get people to claim compensation for accidents, an analysis of Ofcom data found.
Full article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z54WSzhn94

[boatbuilder]

Looks like the Daily Mail havs made a blunder in their figures. First they refer to 2.2 million nuisance calls and then say 900 million of them were relating to a certain type. Presumably the first figure is meant to read 2.2 billion.

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Drone saves two Australian swimmers in world first

Two teenage boys were rescued by a brand new lifesaving drone in Australia while lifeguards were still training to use the device.
The swimmers, aged 15-17, had got into difficulties off the coast of Lennox Head, New South Wales (NSW).
A member of the public spotted them struggling in heavy surf about 700m (2,300ft) offshore.
Lifesavers instantly sent the drone to drop an inflatable rescue pod, and the pair made their way safely to shore.
John Barilaro, the state's deputy premier, praised the rescue as historic. "Never before has a drone fitted with a flotation device been used to rescue swimmers like this," he said.
Lifeguard supervisor Jai Sheridan was piloting the device when the alarm was raised. He described the experience as "unreal".
Full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42731112 - link includes video.

[boatbuilder]

Cancer blood test ‘enormously exciting’

Scientists have taken a step towards one of the biggest goals in medicine - a universal blood test for cancer.
A team at Johns Hopkins University has trialled a method that detects eight common forms of the disease.
Their vision is an annual test designed to catch cancer early and save lives. UK experts said it was "enormously exciting".
Tumours release tiny traces of their mutated DNA and proteins they make into the bloodstream.
The Cancer Seek test looks for mutations in 16 genes that regularly arise in cancer and eight proteins that are often released.
It was trialled on 1,005 patients with cancers in the ovary, liver, stomach, pancreas, oesophagus, colon, lung or breast that had not yet spread to other tissues.
Overall, the test found 70% of the cancers.
Dr Cristian Tomasetti, from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told the BBC: "This field of early detection is critical, and the results are very exciting.
"I think this can have an enormous impact on cancer mortality."
The earlier a cancer is found, the greater the chance of being able to treat it.
Five of the eight cancers investigated have no screening programmes for early detection.
Pancreatic cancer has so few symptoms and is detected so late that four in five patients die in the year they are diagnosed.
Finding tumours when they could still be surgically removed would be "a night and day difference" for survival, said Dr Tomasetti.
Cancer Seek is now being trialled in people who have not been diagnosed with cancer.
This will be the real test of its usefulness.
The hope is it can complement other screening tools such as mammograms for breast cancer and colonoscopies for colorectal cancer.
Dr Tomasetti told the BBC: "We envision a blood test we could use once a year."

READ MORE

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Wolverhampton Poundland worker sprayed with bleach

A man sprayed bleach into the eyes of a Poundland worker when she asked him not to queue-jump, police have said.
Officers said the woman, 24, also had the liquid poured over her head in the attack at the shop in Wolverhampton.
She only escaped serious injury because quick-thinking colleagues helped remove clothing and rinse her skin, West Midlands Police said.
CCTV images have been issued of a man police want to speak to over the "serious assault", on 5 January.
The customer of the store, in Wulfrun Square, sprayed bleach into the woman's eyes and poured the remaining liquid over her head, causing burning and reddening to her eyes and body.
"Our investigations so far suggest that the incident occurred as the woman, who was working in the store at the time of the attack, requested that the man re-join his correct place in the queue after appearing to push to the front," said Det Con David Firth.
"While her physical injuries will heal, we are certainly not underestimating the psychological impact this incident has had."
Police say they are looking to speak to the man in the CCTV images, who is described as being white man, with short dark hair and stubble, about 5ft 6ins tall and slim.
Investigations are continuing and police have urged anyone with information, or who recognises the man, to come forward.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bi ... m-42746941

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Traffic chaos at Scottish ski resorts

Snowsports enthusiasts heading to some of Scotland's most popular ski centres are facing traffic jams up to six miles long.
Police urged people heading to Nevis Range or Glencoe Mountain Resort to turn back.
Car parks at both resorts were full and surrounding roads were experiencing serious traffic problems.
As well as lengthy tailbacks, abandoned cars were blocking the path of gritters.
Insp Jen Valentine urged people to remove abandoned cars - or they would be seized.
"We understand that there is currently a six mile tailback of traffic heading towards Glencoe," she said.
"Unfortunately drivers have decided to abandon their cars on the approach road as the car park is full, which is obstructing gritter vehicles trying to get through.
"Similarly at Nevis Range, cars are also being abandoned on the access road and there is a risk that tailbacks may affect the A82.
"These abandoned cars at both centres are posing a risk so I am urging anyone who has left their car to return and move it. Any cars not moved will be seized.
"It is great that so many people are wanting to take advantage of the good weather and skiing available in our area however, public safety on the roads is crucial and has to be our priority."
It came after Nevis Range reported "amazing conditions and great skiing" following several days of snowfall across Scotland.
Glencoe Mountain Resort also predicted an "awesome day" after overnight snow.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-h ... s-42760394

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'Drunk' pilot removed from BA plane at Gatwick Airport

A pilot was taken off a flight from Gatwick Airport after fears were raised he was drunk.
The British Airways flight to Mauritius on Thursday was delayed and the pilot replaced, BA said.
An airline source told The Sun: "Cops rushed on to the plane and headed straight for the cockpit. The first officer was cuffed and led away."
A 49-year-old man from west London has been arrested and remains in police custody, Sussex Police said.
The man, from Harmondsworth, West Drayton, has been arrested on suspicion of performing an aviation function when the level of alcohol was over the prescribed limit.
A spokesman for British Airways told the BBC: "We are taking this matter extremely seriously.
"We are sorry for the delay to our customers. The aircraft remained at the gate until an alternative third pilot joined the flight crew."
The Boeing 777 was due to leave Gatwick's South Terminal at 20:20 GMT but was delayed until just before 23:00.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-42759124

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'Ice Maiden' team celebrates Antarctica ski record

Six women from the British Army have become the largest all-female group to ski coast-to-coast across Antarctica.
The Ice Maiden team began the 1,000-mile expedition on 20 November - each pulling an 80kg sledge behind them.
After 62 days on the ice, the six soldiers crossed the finish line at the Hercules Inlet just before 10:00 GMT.
Completing the challenge, Maj Nics Wetherill said: "I'm just so incredibly proud of the team. I can't believe how far we've come."
The group was expected to take between 75 and 90 days, with the women tackling winds of up to 60mph and temperatures reaching as low as -40C
Maj Wetherill, of the Royal Army Medical Corps in Portsmouth, added: "This journey has had good times, bad times and great times for all concerned, and each of them, I know, has made us better people."
Full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42759027

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Blue badge scheme could be extended to autism and dementia sufferers

It is hoped that providing the permits for those with hidden disabilities will create equality between the treatment of physical and mental health.
The Department for Transport said at the moment only certain councils were recognising hidden disabilities.
If the proposals go ahead, it will be the biggest change to the blue badge scheme since it was introduced in 1970.
Around 2.4 million people have blue badges in England, which allows them to park for free in pay and display bays, use disabled parking bays, and stay for up to three hours on yellow lines.
Full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42763767

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Government introduces new product safety office

The government is creating a new Office for Product Safety and Standards to help manage large-scale product recalls and identify risks to consumers.
It comes after several fires, including Grenfell Tower, linked to faulty fridge freezers and tumble dryers.
The Commons' Business Committee said last week there was a "strong case" for a national product safety authority.
Consumer group Which? welcomed the move but said it "falls short of the full overhaul" required.
It emerged last week that more than one million fire-risk tumble dryers are still in use more than two years after a defect was discovered.
The defect in tumble dryers sold under the Hotpoint, Creda and Indesit brands was discovered in 2015 and led to at least 750 fires since 2004, according to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee.
Business minister Andrew Griffiths said the new office "will allow consumers to continue to buy, secure in the knowledge there is an effective system in place if products need to be repaired or replaced."
The new product safety office will start work immediately.

Full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42760756

[boatbuilder]

Such a tragic incident reported today.....

Brownhills stabbing: Victim named as Mylee Billingham


Image: Family Handout

An eight-year-old girl who was stabbed to death has been named as Mylee Billingham.
West Midlands Police said she died in hospital shortly after being found seriously injured in Valley View in Brownhills, near Walsall, at 21:15 GMT on Saturday.
A post mortem examination is scheduled to take place on Monday.
A 54-year-old man has been arrested and is in a critical condition in hospital with a stab wound to the stomach.
West Midlands Police said they were treating the stabbing as a "domestic incident" and would be questioning the man in due course.
Det Insp Jim Colclough said no-one else was being sought in connection with the death and that investigations were continuing.
"This is an absolutely tragic set of circumstances and my thoughts are with everyone who has been affected," he added.

Full Report

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Brownhills stabbing: arrested man is victim's father

The 54-year-old man arrested after eight-year-old Mylee Billingham was stabbed to death is understood to be her father.
West Midlands Police said Mylee died in hospital after being found seriously injured in Valley View in Brownhills, near Walsall, on Saturday evening.
Her father, believed to be Bill Billingham, is critically ill with a stab wound to the stomach.
A post-mortem examination for Mylee is scheduled to take place today.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bi ... m-42772820

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Red Arrows death firm admits failings

An ejector seat firm has admitted breaching health and safety laws over the death of a Red Arrows pilot.
Flt Lt Sean Cunningham, 35, was ejected from his Hawk T1 jet while it was on the ground at RAF Scampton in 2011.
The parachute on the seat did not deploy and the South African-born airman was fatally injured.
Martin-Baker Aircraft Ltd pleaded guilty at Lincoln Crown Court to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42773834

[boatbuilder]

Alaska earthquake prompts tsunami alert

A tsunami alert has been issued after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake was recorded off the coast of Alaska in the US.
It hit 280km (173 miles) south-east of Kodiak, at a depth of 25km, at 00:31 (09:31 GMT), the US Geological Survey said.
The US National Weather Service says a warning is in effect for the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia, while the US west coast is on tsunami watch.
But the tsunami watch for the islands of Hawaii and Guam has been cancelled.
Officials in Anchorage warned coastal areas, saying there was "extraordinary threat to life or property".
The alert told people to seek refuge on higher ground in affected areas. Residents in several places around the Gulf of Alaska were told to leave. They included Homer, Seward, Kodiak, Sitka and Unalaska, a source at Alaska Public Radio told the BBC.
According to Kodiak police, officials had reported water receding from the harbour.
The police said that "at this time the tsunami warning is still in effect. Remain at high ground".
"We have received two reports that the tide levels have been fluctuating in the channel six inches to one foot (15-30cm).
Many residents in Kodiak left by car in the middle of the night.
The NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that, based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, "widespread hazardous tsunami waves were possible".
The alert meant that emergency officials and the public should prepare to take action.
One Twitter user is reporting hearing tsunami sirens in Kodiak.
A US weatherman has tweeted about a buoy which reported a 32ft water rise shortly after the earthquake hit.
One Alaska reporter got this response when he called the Kodiak police department, looking for information about the tsunami threat.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42786107

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Sainsbury's to cut thousands of store jobs

Sainsbury's is to cut thousands of store management jobs in a major shake-up of its business.
The changes involve axing a number of managerial posts in its supermarket and convenience stores across the UK.
Sainsbury's would not confirm the number of employees affected by the move but said it was "in the thousands".
On Monday, the UK's biggest supermarket chain, Tesco, announced it was cutting 1,700 shop floor management jobs.
Like other the major grocers, Sainsbury's is trying to cut costs and simplify its plans to save £500m over the next three years.
Earlier this month, it confirmed it was "on track" to achieve £185m of cost savings this year, putting it ahead of target.
Sainsbury's, which jostles for position as the UK's second-biggest supermarket with Asda, has more than 1,400 stores in the UK.
Full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42791079

[boatbuilder]

Boris Johnson faces call to be sacked

Boris Johnson's bid for a £5 billion annual cash injection for the NHS ran into trouble with the chancellor today and Tory MPs called for him to be sacked.

The Times

This is just about the only thing I support of what BJ has said and there are calls for him to be sacked because of it! What sort of country do we live in?