'Beast From East': UK Spared Siberian Blast

Britain looks to have been spared heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures from a weather front dubbed the 'Beast from the East' - but some areas will still struggle with freezing conditions.

Forecasters had suggested parts of the country would see the mercury plunge as low as -6C, with icy winds from Siberia expected to blow in over the eastern coast.

But while coastal areas in the east remain likely to receive sleet and snow from the 7,000-mile wide weather front, the extreme conditions are no longer expected to be felt far inland.

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "It was initially thought that freezing east to northeasterly winds would bring a severely cold spell along with the potential for some heavy snowfalls across eastern and southeastern Britain.

"However, despite a chilly start to this week with concerns of patchy hill snow, ice and freezing fog, most places should escape with dry and sunny weather."

Daytime temperatures in northern England and Scotland could struggle to top 2C on Wednesday and Thursday with some isolated spots failing to get above -1C.

And parts of the South West and South East are being warned of a deluge of rain from the middle of the week onwards, with 17 flood alerts in place for the regions.

The ground in these areas is already saturated after last month's higher than average rainfall.

Lang added: "Later in the week the weather is set to turn wetter from the south and west with strengthening winds.

"Some snow may fall for a time but the general theme will be a wetter and somewhat milder one as we head through the end of the week.

"Whether conditions remain mild or turn colder again from the east is open to question from this coming weekend onwards.

"This flip-flopping between air masses is not uncommon at this time of year."

Freezing winds, heavy snow and blizzards have caused chaos in parts of Europe over recent days, with four people reported to have died in Croatia and two in Serbia.

23.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

X Factor: Christopher Maloney Was 'Bullied'

X Factor finalist Christopher Maloney says he has been "bullied" and subjected to a "witch hunt" since finishing third on the TV talent contest.

The 38-year-old from Liverpool was voted off the show on Saturday, when he secured fewer votes than eventual winner James Arthur and runner-up Jahmene Douglas.

He did not appear in Sunday's final, prompting speculation he had turned up with a hangover for rehearsals and insulted a fellow contestant.

The singer, from Liverpool, found himself at the centre of a backlash on Twitter, when Carolynne Poole, who left the show in week one, retweeted a message from Christopher, which read: "@CarolynnePoole you'll do anything to get a headline! Disgraceful! Week one! Bitter."

This message on Twitter was retweeted more than 1,900 times

Later, Maloney tweeted: "Thank u @TheXFactor had a wonderful time. An amazing experience. Love u all. Sorry I had a sore throat an doctor signed me off. Good luck x."

He told fans to "take no notice" of newspaper reports, accusing them of writing "sensational headlines", before posting: "Yes I am being bullied! Big time. There u go xx witch hunt xx."

He later added: "Thank u all so much for ur love help and support. Thinking everyone wants a final dig. Disgusting xx love u na nite xx."

Maloney was voted in as the show's 'wildcard' during the first week, securing 63.5 per cent of the vote.

James Arthur won the show after securing 54 per cent of the public vote

Figures released by ITV revealed he won the most number of votes for each of the first seven weeks, only to fall behind Arthur and Douglas as the show - now in its ninth series - drew to a close.

Arthur, 24, from Saltburn, near Middlesbrough, hugged his mentor Nicole Scherzinger after being announced as the winner.

Jahmene Douglas finished runner-up to James with 39 per cent of the vote

His prize is a recording contract and a shot at Christmas number one with his debut single Impossible, originally recorded by Barbadian singer Shontelle.

All profits from sales of the single will go to the charity Together For Short Lives, which gives support to children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions.

Douglas also 24, from Swindon, was gracious in defeat, telling his rival: "I think it's just a blessing to share the stage with such a talent.

"You're so amazing James, use this platform, use it wisely."

Meanwhile, contestant Lucy Spraggan, who pulled out of the show in November because of ill health, said she did not perform a Christmas medley with other acts because she "didn't think it was my style".

MK1 missed the performance because they were on tour.

23.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Armed Robbery: Boys Aged 7 And 11 Detained

Two boys, aged just seven and 11, have been accused of trying to rob a woman at gunpoint, police in Oregon have revealed.

The older boy had a loaded handgun in his pocket when officers found him outside a church in Portland on Saturday.

Amy Garrett, 22, claimed the pair had threatened her as she waited for her parents in the family's truck in the church car park.

The woman said the boys demanded cash and her phone, and that the younger boy told the older one to "show her your piece".

Amy Garrett was still shocked as she spoke to a TV reporter. Image: KATU

The 11-year-old then lifted his shirt and showed Ms Garrett the gun.

"He said it was fully loaded and cocked and ready to go. He told me he was going to blow my brains out if I didn't give him anything," she recounted to KATU. 

"My heart was beating a million miles a minute. I'm surprised it didn't completely beat our of my chest. I was very scared," Ms Garrett went on.

The 11-year-old was filmed by the camera team. Image: KATU

She refused and drove away, calling the police as she went.

Incredibly, as a shaken Ms Garrett told her story to the TV reporter on Sunday, the older boy turned up alongside the camera team.

He left soon afterwards, and did not come back when the reporter asked to speak to his parents.

The boys had been tracked down quickly by police after the initial incident and returned to their families.

"Officers told the 11-year-old to keep his hands out of his pockets, but he ignored them and tried putting his hand back in his pocket," Portland police said in a statement.

"Officers grabbed his arms and recovered a cocked and loaded .22 calibre handgun in his pocket."

Neither child is likely to face any charges because of their young age. 

But detectives are investigating how the boys obtained a gun.

23.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Apple Maps 'Life-Threatening' To Drivers

Police in Australia have warned drivers not to use Apple's map software after a number of people ended up lost in the wilderness in scorching temperatures.

Motorists trying to find the south-eastern town of Mildura became lost after following the map system, which locates it about 43 miles (70km) from its actual position.

One man was stranded for 24 hours in temperatures of up to 46C, and at least three more have had to be rescued, police said.

Tests on the mapping system show that Mildura is incorrectly listed as being in the middle of the Murray Sunset National Park.

Mildura police have now issued a warning on their website.

"Police are extremely concerned as there is no water supply within the park and temperatures can reach as high as 46 degrees, making this a potentially life-threatening issue," it says.

"Some of the motorists located by police have been stranded for up to 24 hours without food or water and have walked long distances through dangerous terrain to get phone reception."

Parts of the park have no water supply or telephone reception

Inspector Simon Clemence told Australia's ABC News that he is concerned people using the Apple Maps app could find themselves in trouble.

"If it was a 45-degree day, someone could actually die," he said.

"It's quite a dangerous situation, so we would be calling for people not to use the new Apple iPhone mapping system if they're travelling from south Australia to Mildura."

Police have contacted Apple in relation to the issue.

Apple dropped Google as its map provider in September with the launch of its iOS 6 software for the iPhone and iPad.

It was panned by users for putting towns and cities in the wrong place and misspelling locations.

Well-known areas such as Westminster and Shepherd's Bush in London were misspelt "Westminister" and "Shepard's Bush".

And search for Chessington in Surrey initially brought up Chessington Tyres Ltd in Plymouth, then Chessington House.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was forced to apologise for the glitches, and the manager who oversaw the software update has also left the company.

23.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Eight Die As Freezing 'Beast' Hits Balkans

Blizzards and freezing temperatures have killed at least eight people in the Balkans, as rescue teams struggle to cope with the conditions.

Heavy snowfall blocked roads, closed airports, and shut down public transport across the region.

In Serbia's northern province of Vojvodina, 50cm (20ins) of snow fell in just a few hours leaving scores of motorists trapped in their cars.

Many had to wait hours before the rescue teams could reach them.

Officials said four people died in Croatia and two in Serbia, victims of the weather front dubbed "the Beast from the East" that had been forecast to hit the UK.

In Bosnia two people were found dead over the weekend, on many was discovered in his orchard and another next to a road. Doctors told police that in both cases low temperatures caused the victims' hearts to stop.

Children play with a sledge in snow in Zagreb, Croatia

Croatian authorities said it was the heaviest snowfall in Zagreb in 57 years.

Ivica Dacic, who serves as Serbia's prime minister and interior minister, has ordered all police to help with rescue operations. People have been warned to stay indoors.

According to Serbian state television, a woman gave birth to a healthy baby in a stranded truck on her way to a hospital, and named her Snezana, or Snow White.

As the storms headed east across the Balkans on Sunday, Romania's army was trying to clear roads for the country's elections.

The freezing conditions also hit Germany, causing disruption at several airports. The north east of the country was blanketed in several centimetres of snow.

One 32-year-old man was rescued in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania after getting lost in a forest overnight in temperatures of -6C (-21F). He managed to contact his brother using his mobile phone and was located.

23.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Royal Prank DJs: 'We Are Both Shattered'

Transcript: Prank DJs Break Silence

Updated: 8:33am UK, Monday 10 December 2012

Here is the transcript of the interview carried out with prank call radio DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian by Clare Brady on the Today Tonight programme on Australia's Seven network.

Brady: Considering what we're about to discuss... do you feel emotionally stable to do this interview?

Christian: Yes.

Greig: Yes.

Brady: When you heard the dreadful results following the days after the prank, describe for me how you felt.

Greig: Unfortunately I remember that moment very well because I haven't stopped thinking about it since it happened and I remember my first question was 'Was she a mother?'

Brady: When you found out she was, of two children, how did you feel?

Greig: Very sorry and saddened for the family. I can't imagine what they'd be going through.

Christian: Gutted. Shattered. Heartbroken.

Brady: Does it feel real to you?

Christian: We're still trying to get our heads around everything. Trying to make sense of the situation.

Greig: It doesn't seem real because you just couldn't foresee something like that happening from a prank call. You know it was never meant to go that far. It was meant to be a silly little prank that so many people have done before. This wasn't meant to happen.

Brady: In hindsight, would you do something like that again?

Christian: I don't think that anyone could have predicted what could've happened. It was just a tragic set of circumstances that I don't think anyone could have thought that we'd be here.

Brady: Who came up with the idea of the prank?

Christian: It was just in a team meeting before the show.

Greig: Everything's done as a team.

Brady: Did you have legal advice or senior producers nursing you through this?

Christian: The call to begin with wasn't about speaking to Kate. It wasn't about trying to get a scoop or anything. The call was just - I mean we'd assumed that we'd be hung up on and that'd be that.

Brady: When you weren't hung up on - and, let's be honest, you thought it was a coup at the time - were you quite shocked that you even got that far to talk to the nurse beside Princess Kate?

Greig: Absolutely. And the accents were terrible. You know it was designed to be stupid. We were never meant to get that far from the little corgis barking in the background - we obviously wanted it to be a joke.

Christian: And I suppose, you know, the joke was always on us, not anyone else. It wasn't about trying to fool someone. I mean we just assumed that with the voices that we put on, you know, we were going to get told off and that was the gag - on us.

Brady: Here at the station, at Austereo, do you get any coaching, any training at all as to what you're allowed to put to air? What you've got to tell people on when they're being recorded and they're going to be put on air? Have you been taught that during your tenure here?

Christian: This phone call is the same with any phone call, with any pre-recorded segment that goes to air, there's processes in place and people that make those decisions. I mean our role is just...

Brady: Have you been taught that - sat down in a legal class?

Christian: There are people that make those decisions for us. Our responsibility is just to...

Brady: Did someone listen to that recording and say?

Greig: It went through the processes of every other recorded bit that we do - from interviews to, you know, anything at all that gets recorded and passed on to the appropriate people, goes through the process, and we're told whether it's yes or no to play.

Brady: What was it, if you can give me a rough, and it probably feels all blurry to you, but the time spent from when you did that call to putting it to air? Was it two hours, three hours?

Christian: In between all of that though it wasn't as though we were sitting around waiting for an answer. You know there was...

Greig: We go about our work and just keep going.

Christian: Getting other things organised.

Brady: But you were pretty giddy with what you'd pulled off, weren't you?

Greig: We couldn't believe that it had worked, absolutely. You didn't expect it to. We thought a hundred people before us would've tried the same thing. We just did not see that actually working.

Christian: But it wasn't to get something that no-one else had. It wasn't about getting...

Brady: But you are aware you were trying to get a medical condition and a medical condition on a royal?

Greig: But we didn't actually want that. We just wanted to be hung up on. We wanted to be hung up on with our silly voices and wanted a 20-second segment to air of us doing stupid voices.

Brady: You didn't think of identifying yourselves at the end of that call?

Greig: That's where the process comes in. We just record everything and pass it to the team. That's what we do.

Christian: And again the call itself is - there's no malice in the call. There was no digging. There was no trying to upset or get a reaction.

Brady: Do you feel now that you're part of a witch hunt? That someone wants someone to pay here? There's hackers here threatening to shut down the station and hack into the whole system if you guys aren't sacked. Does that make you feel vulnerable?

Greig (crying): There's nothing that can make me feel worse than what I feel right now. And for what I feel for the family. We're so sorry that this has happened to them.

Brady: How do you move on? Is someone caring for you guys? Are you having counselling too?

Christian: We're getting the support that we need and we've got those around us that are helping us but you know, right now...

Greig: I care more about the family. I want to know that they've got the support that they need and that the public are, you know, being respectful of their privacy.

Brady: Have you tried to contact the family in any way?

Greig: I don't think it's an appropriate time to do that yet. But this is where we want to say that we are thinking of you and if we could call you we would want to reach out to you.

Brady: Or if you could turn the clock back?

Greig: If we played any involvement in her death then we're very sorry for that. And time will only tell.

Brady: Have you been reading a lot, Mel?

Greig: I've been advised not to but I'm doing it on the intention of finding out more about Jacintha.

Brady: What lessons can other DJs, and worldwide, learn from your horrible experience?

Christian: These are prank calls. They've been around for as long as radios existed and they're done by every radio station.

Brady: But this result is just horrific...

Christian: But no-one could have predicted this result.

Brady: What are you guys going to do then? Are you going to pursue your DJ careers?

Greig: I don't want to think about that right now. There's bigger, more pressing issues and that's making sure that family gets through this tough time. You know our careers aren't important at the moment.

Brady: That Scotland Yard is now involved, and you may be called to an inquest, and that inquest will probably be in London and you'll see the family face to face - are you prepared for that?

Christian: Right now we're trying to wrap our heads around what's happened.

Greig: If that's going to make them feel better then I'll do what I need to do, absolutely. If that's something that they want to do, to get some closure, then I'll do that.

Brady: You have had a lot of support. There's a poll out today of 11,000 people and two-thirds have said they feel you're not to blame for this horrible result. And then you've got the other side of horrible Twitter saying 'many lives ruined', 'shame on you', 'you've got blood on your hands'. How do you balance that - the support and the absolute hostility?

Christian: I think that, you know, what's important right now is, you know, that the family of Jacintha are getting the support and the love that they deserve. And I mean that's what's important here. You know, it was, it is nothing more than a tragic turn of events that no-one could have predicted and, you know, for the part that we played, we're obviously incredibly sorry and you know...

Brady: I feel in you, Mel, that you're all but frozen. Is that correct?

Greig: I'm just so devastated for them. I'm really feeling for them.

Brady: It's a shocking turn of events.

Greig: I just couldn't... If we had any idea that something like this could be even possible to happen, you know, we couldn't see this happening. It was meant to be a prank call.

Brady: Do you feel sick now that you were saying 'This is the highlight of my career' and you were excited about getting the call through, to get to this moment?

Greig: We couldn't foresee what was going to happen in the future.

Brady: When you did call them and you were talking - first to Jacintha and then the second nurse - did you think in the days after 'Oh those poor nurses, wonder how they're feeling'? Because I know I did, but I'm an overly cautious person - I think everything through and through and through. Did you think for them at all, or were you just in that giddy sense?

Christian: The call itself was not malicious and no harm was intended on Jacintha, or the other nurse, or Kate, or Prince William, or anyone. It wasn't - from start to finish - there was no harm intended. And obviously, you know, we're incredibly sorry for the harm that we may have helped contribute (to).

Brady: You've been very brave for talking and I just hope that people are caring for you guys too, because it's going to take (a lot). I feel for two DJs who like to put a few smiles on faces and it'll be a while before we hear the two of you laugh.

Christian: Thank you.

23.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Manchester Derby: Nine Charged After City V Utd

Nine people have been charged in connection with Sunday's stormy Manchester derby - as a pitch invader apologised for "letting himself down".

Another four arrests were made over incidents connected to the game, but police say they have so far failed to track down the fan who threw a coin at Rio Ferdinand - cutting the United defender's eye.

Meanwhile, one of the nine men charged, Matthew Stott, said he was sorry for running on to the pitch after Robin van Persie's late winning goal for United.

The landscape gardener, who slipped up as he ran on to the field before being restrained by City goalkeeper Joe Hart, issued a statement through his solicitors.

He said: "I would like to apologise to all those affected by my actions yesterday, particularly Mr Ferdinand and the other players.

"I am extremely ashamed of my actions. I have let myself down, my family down, my fellow fans down and Manchester City Football club.

"I intend to write personally to Mr Ferdinand to express my extreme regret and apologies and also apologise to Manchester United and their fans. I would like to thank Joe Hart for his actions when I came on the pitch."

Matthew Stott was held back by Joe Hart

Greater Manchester Police's chief inspector, Steve Howard, said: "To have just 13 arrests for a crowd of this size and a match of this proportion is a testament to the policing operation we put in place.

"Despite fierce rivalry and high tension there was no major disorder. However, we will continue to investigate the coin throwing incident and are determined to work with the club to bring the perpetrator to justice."

All of the men, who were arrested in the wake of the clash at the Etihad Stadium, are due before Manchester City Magistrates' Court on January 4.

They are:

:: Peter Harrison, aged 30, of Kearsley, charged with racially aggravated public order.

:: Matthew Stott, 21, of Knutsford, and Christopher Johnson, 52, of Alderley Edge, charged with pitch encroachment.

:: Warren Singh, 18, of Heald Green, charged with section 5 public order.

:: Sam Weatherby, 21, of Farnworth, Bolton, and Philip O'Leary, 24, of Disley, Stockport, charged with breach of a football banning order.

:: Christopher O'Neil, 21, of Manchester, Nicholas Morley, 21, and Andrew Martin, 20, both of Blackley, charged with being drunk and disorderly.

23.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kate Hospital: Post-Mortem Set For Nurse

The post-mortem for a nurse who put through a hoax call made about the Duchess of Cambridge's medical condition will take place on Tuesday.

Jacintha Saldanha took the initial call from Australian DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian who posed as the Queen and the Prince of Wales when they rang the hospital where Kate was being treated for acute morning sickness.

Believing it to be genuine, she put the call through to another colleague who was duped into describing the Duchess' condition in detail.

Mrs Saldanha was found dead days later, having apparently taken her own life.

Her post-mortem will take place at Westminster Mortuary.

Prime Minister David Cameron spoke of his "shock" at Mrs Saldanha's death.

He said: "I thought it was completely shocking... I heard about the suicide of this nurse, who worked incredibly hard and obviously was incredibly dedicated.

The Duchess of Cambridge was treated for acute morning sickness

"I feel incredibly sorry for her and her family. It is an absolute tragedy that this has happened and I am sure everyone will want to reflect on how it was allowed to happen."

It comes after the boss of Sydney radio station 2Day FM said five attempts were made to contact London's King Edward VII's Hospital about the prank call before it aired.

"Following the hoax call, the radio station did not speak to anyone in the hospital's senior management or anyone at the company who handles our media enquiries," a hospital spokesman said.

Earlier, Rhys Holleran - head of the station's parent company Southern Cross Austereo - said he was satisfied that the appropriate checks were carried out before the pre-recorded segment was broadcast.

On Monday the two DJs gave their first interviews since the tragedy

"It is absolutely true to say that we actually did attempt to contact those people on multiple occasions," he told Fairfax Radio, an Australian broadcaster.

"We rang them up to discuss what we had recorded ... we attempted to contact them on no less than five occasions ... we wanted to speak to them about it."

Britain's Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has told Sky News that the nurse's response to the prank call does not point to a widespread breach of procedure.

Asked what lessons needed to be learned, he said: "I think we need to make sure that the right safeguards are in place, that the right training is in place, but I think it's too early for me to say whether this is something which is just an individual prank that went horribly wrong and it was an isolated breach or whether there are more widespread issues.

"My instinct is that this was an isolated incident with very exceptional circumstances."

Labour MP Keith Vaz, who visited Mrs Saldanha's family in Bristol on Sunday, urged the hospital to hold an inquiry and provide more support to the relatives.

"What is needed, clearly, is an inquiry by the hospital into what has happened.

"The hospital has sent them a letter, which I have seen, but I'm surprised that nobody has made the journey to Bristol to sit with them and offer them the counselling that I think they need."

He said the family was in "terrible distress", adding: "More support in my view needs to be given."

A statement from King Edward VII Hospital said chief executive John Lofthouse had offered to meet Mrs Saldanha's husband.

It said it had also offered to establish a memorial fund in her name.

The statement read: "We hope that everyone will focus on doing all they can for the family of Jacintha Saldanha at this terrible time."

23.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

iPhone App Sends Photo Back To Stolen Owner

A woman has unwittingly taken her own picture as she attempted to unlock a stolen phone.

The image was then automatically sent to the owner who called the police.

A "rather cool" app downloaded on to the phone takes a picture of anyone who tries to unlock it, maps their location and then sends the information to the owner in an email, Sussex Police said.

The phone was stolen from the Coalition nightclub in Brighton, East Sussex, earlier this month.

Police said they do not know whether the woman pictured was responsible for the theft but they appealed for her or anyone who recognises her to contact them.

"We know where and when the photo was taken and it appears to be in a vehicle with quite a large sunroof," PC Gavin Crute, of Sussex Police, said.

"We don't know that the woman is the person who stole the camera, but she obviously has had some connection with it in the meantime and I'd like to speak to her about it," he added.

:: Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.

23.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

M6 Crash: One Killed In Cheshire Pile-Up

One person has been killed and 10 people injured in a nine-vehicle pile-up on the M6 in Cheshire.

The crash on the southbound carriageway between junctions 17 and 16 involved two lorries, five cars and two vans.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said five people had to be cut from the wreckage.

Five people had to be cut from the wreckage

The person who died was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cheshire Constabulary said two people suffered life-threatening injuries and another was seriously hurt.

The casualties were taken to hospitals in Leighton, Crewe and Stoke for treatment.

Nine vehicles were involved in the crash

A spokesman for the Highways Agency told Sky News that the southbound M6 was likely to remain closed for several hours between junctions 18 and 16.

The northbound carriageway was closed for a time to allow the air ambulance to land and take off.

23.38 | 0 komentar | Read More