Weather: Snow Fears As Temperatures Plunge

Temperatures are set to nose-dive across the UK with fears bitterly cold winds from the east could bring a blanket of snow.

Relatively mild weather is expected to deteriorate from Wednesday onwards, with the onset of icy gusts from Scandinavia.

And with temperatures forecast to fall close to freezing, the chances are increasing of another batch of snow as the weekend arrives.

Sky News meteorologist Christopher England said: "The really cold days are going to begin on Wednesday, when we'll see some easterly winds coming in from Scandinavia.

"At the moment we've got temperatures of around seven, eight or nine degrees Celsius (44.6-48.2F), but it will be more like two or three (35.6-37.4F) later in the week.

"That will certainly mean widespread overground frost.

"Those sorts of temperatures are going to last into the weekend, when we might even see some snow flurries in the south.

"It will be cold enough for snow, but that's all we can say at this stage."

Parts of the country received up to 4ft of snow at the end of January.

The weather left hundreds of motorists stranded as travel networks were crippled, with disruption continuing as melting snow and heavy rain caused flooding.

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Mindy McCready Dies In Apparent Suicide

Mindy McCready, who hit the top of the country charts before personal problems sidetracked her career, has died in an apparent suicide.

The 37-year-old was found dead on the front porch of her home in Heber Springs, Arkansas, on Sunday from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

It comes a month after the death of McCready's long-term boyfriend David Wilson, the father of one of her two sons.

He is believed to have shot himself on the same porch of their home and she had previously spoken about finding him as he lay dying.

McCready and Wilson both died on the porch of the home they shared

McCready had attempted suicide in the past.

The singer entered court-ordered rehab earlier this month after her father told a judge she was no longer taking care of herself or her children and was abusing drugs and alcohol.

Her sons were put in foster care at the time, but it was not clear where Zander, six, and 10-month-old Zayne were when McCready died.

The death of McCready's boyfriend, a record producer, had hit her hard. In interviews, she called him her soulmate and said she had never gone through anything as painful as his death.

McCready had her first hit in 1996

"I just keep telling myself that the more suffering that I go through, the greater character I'll have," she said in interview with NBC's Today Show.

She also answered questions about whether they had argued earlier that evening about an affair and if she had shot him.

She told the show: "No. Oh, my God. No. He was my life. We were each other's life."

Major country stars paid their respects on Twitter to the onetime Nashville darling.

"Too much tragedy to overcome. R.I.P Mindy McCready," wrote Natalie Maines, of The Dixie Chicks.

In 1996, within two years of arriving in Nashville, McCready scored a number-one hit with Guys Do It All the Time.

Other hits included Ten Thousand Angels, also in 1996, and her album by that title sold two million copies.

She spent the next 15 years chasing another hit as personal problems began to plague her, including an overdose and a custody battle with her mother over her elder son, whose father was her ex-boyfriend Billy Knight.

In 2004, she was charged with obtaining the painkiller Oxycontin fraudulently at a pharmacy. She pleaded guilty and was placed on three years' probation.

The singer once dated actor Dean Cain

She was arrested for drink-driving in May 2005 and, a few days after that arrest, she had a physical fight with McKnight that led to him spending 30 days in jail.

"It is a giant whirlwind of chaos all the time," McCready said in 2010.

"I call my life a beautiful mess and organised chaos.

"It's just always been like that. My entire life things have been attracted to me and vice versa that turn into chaotic nightmares or I create the chaos myself."

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Man Who 'Slapped Toddler' On Jet Out Of A Job

A man charged with slapping a toddler during a flight is out of a job.

Joe Hundley, 60, was charged with assault last week after he was accused of slapping a 19-month-old boy and using a racial slur during the flight from Atlanta to Minneapolis.

Hundley, of Hayden, Idaho, is no longer an employee of AGC Aerospace and Defense, Composites Group, a spokesman said.

The boy's mother, Jessica Bennett, said the family had a lot of questions about how Hundley could get so out of control on the February 8 flight.

She said Hundley, who was sitting next to her on the Delta flight, became increasingly obnoxious. 

"He reeked of alcohol," Ms Bennett told TV station KARE 11.

"He was belligerent and I was uncomfortable."

She alleges Hundley slapped her son near his eye after he started crying as the plane descended.

"I could not believe he would say (the racial slur) and then hit him," she said.

"I felt like I was in another world. I was shaking."

Al Haase, president and CEO of AGC, released a statement that did not refer to Hundley by name but called reports of an executive's behaviour "offensive and disturbing" and said he "is no longer employed with the company".

His lawyer Marcia Shein has said he will plead not guilty.

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Radioactive Material Stolen From Van

Police have appealed to the public for help after a canister containing a small amount of radioactive material was stolen from a van over the weekend.

The container was taken from the vehicle in Bacup, Lancashire.

Officers were alerted to the theft in the early hours of Monday after the van driver discovered the material was missing.

The Peugeot Panel Van had been parked in New Line, to the south of Bacup.

The stolen canister is in a yellow case which is one foot long and said to be fairly heavy.

Chief Inspector Russ Procter from Burnley Police said: "It is important that this material is located as soon as possible.

"I would ask the public, especially in the Rossendale area, to keep an eye out for this canister and if they locate it then to call the police who will come and deal with it.

"I would also appeal direct to the people who have stolen this. They may have no idea what it is that they have in their possession or they may have discarded it somewhere. If that is the case then I would ask them to contact us or call Crimestoppers anonymously."

The Health Protection Agency is urging anyone coming in contact with the cylinder to leave it where it is and alert the police.

A spokesperson for the HPA said: "The radioactive material, believed to be Iridium 192, will not pose a risk to the public if it remains contained in its heavy lead container marked with the radiation trefoil.

"However, if the material is outside of its protection packaging, anyone who has come into prolonged physical contact, such as keeping it in a pocket, should seek medical assistance.

"If you see this package you should immediately inform the police, do not touch it and keep away."

Iridium 192 is a radioactive isotope of Iridium with a half-life of 73 days.

It emits beta and gamma radiation and as a result has the potential to cause damage to human cells if they come into contact with it or are exposed to it for prolonged period of time.

It is used in industrial radiography to locate flaws in metal components and also in radiotherapy as a source of radiation to kill cancers.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lancashire police on 999 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Green 'Space' Slime Baffles Nature Experts

A "weird" green slime said in folklore to appear at the same time as meteors hit Earth has been found in a birdlife park in Somerset.

The RSPB have appealed for help in identifying the slime, which is said to be scattered on grass banks close to pools and lakes around Ham Wall Nature Reserve, near Glastonbury.

The jelly-like substance could be bacteria, fungus or toad innards, wildlife experts said.

Some believe it could be a substance that has been written about for centuries called star or astral jelly, which is said to appear in the wake of meteor showers.

Its appearance has coincided with a meteor strike in Russia and the harmless fly-by of an asteroid at a record distance from Earth last week.

Steve Hughes, the RSPB site manager at Ham Wall, said: "This past week we've been finding piles of this translucent jelly dotted around the reserve.

"(It is) always on grass banks away from the water's edge. They are usually about 10cm (4in) in diameter.

"We've asked experts what it might be, but as yet no one is really sure. Whatever it is, it's very weird."

More than 1,000 people were hurt after last week's meteor blast in Russia

Tony Whitehead, an RSPB spokesman for the South West, added: "Although we don't know what it actually is, similar substances have been described previously.

"In records dating back to the 14th Century it's known variously as star jelly, astral jelly or astromyxin.

"In folklore it is said to be deposited in the wake of meteor showers."

One of the more favoured explanations is that it is a form of cyanobacteria called Nostoc.

Others suggest that it is the remains of the regurgitated innards of amphibians such as frogs and toads and of their spawn.

Alternatively, it may be related to the intriguingly named crystal brain fungus.

Mr Whitehead added: "We've read a few articles now and much speculation.

"One suggested it was neither animal nor plant, and another that it didn't contain DNA, although it does give the appearance of something 'living'.

"Our reserve team will be looking out for the slime over the next few days, but if anyone can offer any explanations we'd be glad to hear."

The public are being warned not to touch the mystery substance, and to inform nature reserve staff if they spot any.

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Oscar Pistorius: Grief of Girlfriend's Mother

The mother of Reeva Steenkamp, who was allegedly murdered by boyfriend Oscar Pistorius, has asked: "Why my little girl?"

Speaking out for the first time about the death of her 29-year-old daughter, June Steenkamp told the Times of South Africa: "She had so much of herself to give and now all that is gone - just like that, she is gone.

"In the blink of an eye and a single breath, the most beautiful person who ever lived is no longer here.

"All we have is this horrendous death to deal with ... to get to grips with.

"All we want are answers ... answers as to why this had to happen, why our beautiful daughter had to die like this."

She said: "Why my little girl? Why did this happen? Why did he do this?"

Gold medal-winning Paralympian Pistorius was arrested and charged last Thursday with the premeditated murder of Miss Steenkamp, a model who he had been dating since November.

Oscar Pistorius had been dating Reeva Steenkamp since November

Miss Steenkamp's father Barry said on Sunday he did not hate Pistorius following his arrest.

More than 100 people are expected to attend an hour-long memorial service for the law graduate on Tuesday.

She will be cremated in her home town of Port Elizabeth, in a private ceremony for family and friends.

Well-wishers have already begun placing bouquets of flowers outside the family home.

Thousands of people saw her appear in a TV programme on Saturday night after her family said they wanted the broadcast to go ahead.

There had been controversy over the airing of Tropika Island of Treasure as Miss Steenkamp talked about how making the right 'exit' was important.

The broadcast went ahead after the programme makers said they had been told that the family wanted it to be shown.

Her uncle Mike Steenkamp said the family had been overwhelmed with offers of help.

Police have said Miss Steenkamp was shot four times in the early hours of Thursday by a pistol owned by Pistorius and died of her wounds at the scene.

His family has insisted that the evidence will refute "any possibility of a premeditated murder or indeed any murder at all".

Pistorius, 26, who broke down sobbing in his first court appearance on Friday, has built up a powerful team of lawyers, medical specialists and public relations experts for his defence.

Stuart Higgins, a former editor of The Sun newspaper, whose lengthy list of clients includes British Airways, Chelsea FC and Manchester United football club, will be handling Pistorius' public relations.

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Tenerife Beheading: Court Shown CCTV Footage

The daughters of a British woman beheaded in a shop in Tenerife have seen horrific CCTV footage as it played out in court.

Jennifer Mills-Westley, 60, was viciously stabbed and decapitated with a nine-inch carving knife in the popular resort of Los Cristianos on May 13, 2011.

Bulgarian Deyan Deyanov, who is homeless, has denied murder and told the court he is haunted by voices telling him how to act.

The defence has said he is suffering from "acute schizophrenia".

After watching CCTV footage of the attack, Deyanov said it was "a montage, a film" and claimed that he did not recognise himself in the images.

Jennifer Mills-Westley

Ms Mills-Westley's daughters, Sarah Mears, 43, and Samantha Gomes, 39, were in court as the CCTV footage was shown. Mrs Gomes covered her mouth in horror.

Giving evidence, Mrs Mears explained that in the months before her death, her mother had become worried about safety on the island.

"It was nothing specific but she was increasingly concerned that Tenerife was not as safe as when we used to visit 30 years ago," she said.

Ms Mills-Wesley was attacked while shopping in Los Cristianos

Mrs Mears added: "All I want to see is justice done for my mum today."

Ms Mills-Westley, who is originally from Norwich, had been living in Tenerife after retiring from her job as a road safety officer with Norfolk County Council.

Deyanov is alleged to have walked into another shop before the attack to ask for a large knife.

After killing Ms Mills-Westley, the 29-year-old was apparently heard saying "God is on earth" before he was captured by security guards as he ran out of the store holding her head.

The family of Ms Mills-Westley arrive in court - including her daughters

The jury was shown two knives allegedly used in the attack. Both were 22cm long and one was visibly bent and bloodied.

Franciso Beltran, for the defence, told the jury his client was in "total disagreement" with the charge of murder against him.

"He has committed no crime, and it goes without saying that he has not committed the crime of murder," Mr Beltran said.

He asked the jury see his client as a "sick man" who had been living on the streets without a diagnosis or treatment for his acute schizophrenia.

Sarah Mears

He claimed they were telling him he was "an angel of Jesus Christ who is going to create a new Jerusalem".

"They direct how I act, sometimes they say kill, fight, hit, pray," he said.

The defendant said he had been using crack cocaine and LSD before his arrest, but had no memory of living in Tenerife.

Asked if he knew he was in Tenerife after being brought there from a psychiatric unit in Seville on the Spanish mainland, he said: "I have just found out."

He also denied that he had lived in Wales, where he was sectioned in the summer of 2010 under the Mental Health Act at Glan Clwyd Hospital.

Last week Ms Mears and Mrs Gomes said they were attending the trial in order to come "face to face" with the killer and hope to banish memories which have been "shrouded by the brutality of her death".

The trial is expected to conclude on February 25 but there is no date for the verdict.

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South Africa: Shooting At Anglo American Mine

Security staff have been attacked with machetes and nine miners shot with rubber bullets, in the latest wave of violence to hit a South African mine.

Police confirmed a shooting at the Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) facility in Rustenburg.

Anglo American later confirmed that no one was fatally injured. It confirmed that nine employees were injured after its security personnel opened fire with rubber bullets.

The mine is owned by London-listed Anglo American, which saw a 2.5% fall in its share price on the FTSE 100 when news of the trouble emerged.

Machetes were seen during separate disputes in the country in 2012

Police spokesman Thulani Ngubane said a stand-off, allegedly between rival unions National Union of Mineworkers and the Association for Mineworkers and Construction Union, had deteriorated and fighting broke out.

"They are fighting for occupancy of the union offices," he said and confirmed an unknown number of injured had been rushed to a mine hospital.

It had earlier been reported that security guards opened fire to break up rival staff.

The violence follows a two-month illegal strike last autumn at the same site, 70 miles northwest of Johannesburg, where police used rubber bullets as well as tear gas and stun grenades to dispel striking workers.

The continuing dispute is related to anger over Amplats' plans to lay off an additional 14,000 workers amid poor company results which recorded a loss of $225m (£143m) for 2012.

It is among several mining companies in South Africa grappling with higher expenses amid the worst industrial action the country has seen for decades.

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Richard Briers Dies: Good Life Actor Aged 79

Actor Richard Briers - known to millions for TV's The Good Life - has died at the age of 79.

The star, who was also known for his Shakespearean roles, had been battling a serious lung condition for a number of years.

Briers, who starred in shows such as Ever Decreasing Circles and Monarch Of The Glen, recently blamed years of smoking for his emphysema.

His agent said he died "peacefully" at his London home on Sunday.

Briers will be best remembered for his performance as Tom Good, alongside Felicity Kendal, in the 1970s BBC1 sitcom The Good Life.

The show revolved around a couple who drop out of the rat race in Surbiton, south west London, to enjoy a life of simple self-sufficiency.

In an interview carried out only weeks ago, the actor told how his health was failing after being diagnosed with emphysema five years ago, which he attributed to years of smoking, although he gave up 10 years ago.

"I was diagnosed five years ago and didn't think it would go quite as badly as it has," he said.

Richard Briers with Felicity Kendal in The Good Life

"I used to love smoking. It's totally my fault. So, I get very breathless, which is a pain in the backside.

"Trying to get upstairs ... oh God, it's ridiculous. Of course, when you're bloody nearly 80 it's depressing, because you've had it anyway."

His agent, Christopher Farrar, of Hamilton Hodell, said: "Richard was a wonderful man, a consummate professional and an absolute joy to work alongside.

"Following his recent discussion of his battle with emphysema, I know he was incredibly touched by the strength of support expressed by friends and the public.

"He has a unique and special place in the hearts of so many. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go to his family at this sad time."

His varied career saw him narrating the 1970s children's cartoon series Roobarb And Custard, as well as adding his voice to the animated version of Watership Down.

Although long known for his comedy roles in film and TV, a new strand to his career unfolded when he joined Sir Kenneth Branagh's Renaissance Theatre Company in 1987, and went on to work on a number of classical roles.

Sir Kenneth spoke fondly as he paid tribute to Briers, saying: "He was a national treasure, a great actor and a wonderful man. He was greatly loved and he will be deeply missed."

They worked together on Henry V, Peter's Friends, Much Ado About Nothing and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein during their lengthy association.

Rada-trained Briers made his West End debut in the late 1950s in Gilt And Gingerbread, and went on to work on a number of British films - Bottoms Up, Murder She Said, The Girl On The Boat and Fathom, alongside Raquel Welch.

Sunday Telegraph theatre critic Tim Walker told Sky News that Briers had an "appetite for hard work".

"He was a proper, grown-up stage actor," he said.

"Very much respected in the profession. I remember seeing him in London Assurance back in 2010, so quite recently, when he was on great form.

"He'd always say to me: 'Oh, I'm so lucky I'm working and it's amazing they haven't seen through me'. That was very much typical of him and I think, to some extent, his generation."

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Amazon Fires 'Neo-Nazi' Guards In Germany

Online retail giant Amazon has fired a security firm amid reports that foreign workers hired in Germany had been harassed and intimidated by guards with alleged neo-Nazi links.

An Amazon spokeswoman in Germany said on Monday the company had ended its relationship with Hensel European Security Services (HESS) "with immediate effect".

She added Amazon has a "zero-tolerance" approach to "discrimination and intimidation and expects the same of other companies it works with".

It follows the screening of a documentary last week by German broadcaster ARD.

The programme had interviews with seasonal agency staff who claimed they had been mistreated by employees of the security firm, whose initials spell out the surname of Adolf Hitler's deputy Rudolph Hess.

It showed how workers, mainly at a warehouse in Bad Hersfeld and from countries including Spain, were subjected to constant surveillance by the guards in black uniforms with shaved heads.

One woman from Spain claimed she was threatened by security staff and after complaining about their behaviour her contract was terminated the following day without any explanation.

Two guards in the film were shown wearing Thor Steinar jackets - a clothing brand closely associated with far-right politics in Germany.

The documentary claimed Amazon paid seasonal workers at its German packing and distribution centres less than advertised and that their belongings were regularly searched in the temporary housing they were provided.

It was also alleged foreign staff were initially promised direct jobs with Amazon. However, when they arrived in Germany, they were assigned to an agency and given contracts for temporary placements which they could not understand because they were in German.

German services union Verdi has long accused Amazon of paying its temporary workers unfair wages and going overboard on surveillance.

The US company, which has about 7,700 people on staff in Germany and hires additional temporary workers at peak times to work at its seven packing and distribution centres there, has come under mounting criticism since the documentary was aired.

It launched an immediate probe into the allegations and said it would not tolerate intimidation at its sites.

HESS also denied any wrongdoing. However, it confirmed its guards had carried out room searches.

"The accusation that our company harbours far-right views or supports them is false," it said in a statement.

On Sunday, Germany's employment minister Ursula von der Leyen called for a thorough probe into the claims. She warned any proof of wrongdoing could result in serious consequences for the temporary employment agency used by Amazon.

"There is a strong suspicion here which is why we need to lay all the facts on the table," she said.

"If the investigation shows there is something to the accusations against the temporary placement agency then its licence is at risk."

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