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Harman accuses Tories on votes roll

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Harman accuses Tories on votes roll Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman is set to accuse the Conservatives of plotting to wipe out millions of Labour's core votes by pushing people off the electoral register. Proposals drawn up by the Government would introduce voluntary registration and put an end to households signing up, shifting the onus on to each individual to fill out the electoral forms. Labour documents quote Electoral Commission research that suggest 10 million voters "predominantly poor, young or black, and more liable to vote Labour", will fall off the electoral register and it may go from having 90. Ms Harman will tell party members: "The Lib Dems - to their eternal shame - are colluding with the Tories in changing the law on the electoral register. "What they plan to do in the White Paper is going to push people off the electoral register, deny them their vote, deny them their voice. The independent Electoral Commission warn that this could deny millions of people the right to vote. "The Tories are hoping if they take away the right to vote from students, young people living in rented flats in our cities, people from ethnic minority communities... if fewer of them can vote it will help the Tories win." At a question-and-answer session in the conference hall earlier, Labour leader Ed Miliband also warned about the changes and said it was a "basic human right" to be able to vote and it should be made "easier, not harder". Mr Miliband said: "The Electoral Commission... are very worried that millions of people are going to be removed from the register." Pledging to oppose the move, he added: "One of the most basic decent human rights of all is the right to vote. We should be making it easier, not harder." He claimed the move to voluntary registration meant it would no longer be a "civic duty" to be on the roll.

Visa alert on thousands of students

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Visa alert on thousands of students More than 1,500 foreign students are being reported to immigration officials each month over suspicions concerning their visa status in the UK, figures have shown. Universities and other sponsors of international students reported at least 27,121 migrants to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) in the 18 months leading up to August last year, figures released under the Freedom of Information Act showed. Study is the most common reason for migrants coming to the UK, with three in four of the 228,000 who arrived for study last year coming from outside the EU. Ministers were accused in July of rushing reforms aimed at tightening restrictions on student visas. The Commons Home Affairs Select Committee warned the Government's reforms aimed at cracking down on abuses of the system could cost the economy £3.6 billion in a "worst-case scenario", including loss of tuition fees and visa fee income, as well as a reduction in students and their dependants able to come to the UK. The Manifesto Club campaign group, which obtained the figures, said the stringent visa controls were forcing UK academics to spy on their own students, eroding academic autonomy and damaging relationships between students and staff. In its Students Under Watch report, the group said: "Universities are reporting large numbers of international students to the UKBA. The agency asks sponsors to email any suspicions about students; each notification can include information about several students." Between March 2009 and August last year, the UKBA received 27,121 notifications from education providers, the equivalent of more than 1,500 a month. Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), said: "The relationship between staff and students is an incredibly important one that is built on trust and must not be jeopardised by fears that lecturers may be spying on students. Successive governments have had plans to turn lecturers into spooks overwhelmingly rejected by the academic community." A UKBA spokesman said: "There has been widespread abuse of the visa system for too long and we have made radical changes in order to make the system more rigorous and accountable. We expect education providers who are sponsoring foreign students to make the necessary checks."

Poor critical care 'risking lives'

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Poor critical care 'risking lives' Thousands of patients needing emergency surgery are having their lives put at risk by poor NHS care and delays in accessing treatment, according to a damning report. The Royal College of Surgeons study found that only a minority of patients who need critical care following surgery receive it, while some die or suffer major complications because of delays in finding space in operating theatres. Junior staff are often left in charge of dealing with post-surgical complications, which can rapidly lead to death if not treated promptly, the report went on. A patient's chance of survival also varies widely between NHS hospitals, and even within the same hospital depending on the day of the week. The report calls for the NHS to improve the way it deals with this group of "forgotten" patients, who are often elderly. Some 170,000 patients have major emergency surgery each year, mostly on the abdomen. Of these, 100,000 will develop significant complications following surgery, resulting in more than 25,000 deaths. In the UK, fewer than one in three of all these patients are admitted to critical care following their surgery. Even those who are admitted only tend to stay 24 hours before enduring a longer hospital stay on other wards. The report said: "Premature discharge from critical care has been identified as an important risk factor for post-operative death, as has delayed admission to critical care."

UK 'officially bottom of pile'

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UK 'officially bottom of pile' The UK is the worst place to live in Europe, with people getting a "raw deal" on quality of life and high cost of living, a study has revealed. Comparison website uSwitch said that things were getting so bad that one in 10 people in this country were considering emigrating. France and Spain came out on top of its Quality of Life Index, with the UK bottom of a 10-country league table, covering working hours, VAT, holidays, spending on health and education - and hours of sunshine. The UK also came bottom of another table based on the cost of energy, petrol, food, alcohol, cigarettes, and life expectancy. Households in the UK struggled with a high cost of living, with food and diesel prices the highest in Europe, while unleaded petrol, alcohol and cigarettes all cost more than the European average, said the report. People in the UK now have the lowest holiday entitlement in Europe as well as having one of the highest retirement ages, the study found. A survey of over 2,000 adults found their biggest concern was "broken society", as well as the cost of living, crime and violence, while some 5% said they were happy with the UK, with over one in 10 "seriously considering" emigrating. France topped the index for the third year in a row, despite the average household annual net income being £7,000 below that of the UK. Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: "Last year at least our neighbours in Ireland were worse off, now we can't even console ourselves with that. We are now officially at the bottom of the pile. "We may still be enjoying the fourth highest household income in Europe, but the high cost of living means that we're living to work."

PM warns stores over plastic bags

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PM warns stores over plastic bags David Cameron has threatened to introduce tough new laws forcing retailers to cut the number of plastic bags they issue if they fail to do so voluntarily. The Prime Minister praised major high street stores for a significant dip overall in the amount of single use bags being handed to shoppers in recent years but branded it "unacceptable" that the number went up in 2010. He warned stores that they would have to answer to him if they failed to reverse that trend soon. Mr Cameron said: "I am very concerned about the use of single use carrier bags and the effect that they have on the environment. The number of bags being used had fallen considerably, partly thanks to public pressure, including the (Daily) Mail campaign, and due to the efforts of many major retailers. "Companies like Marks & Spencer have considerably reduced the use of bags by charging and then donating the money raised to charity - £4m has already gone to good causes since they started charging in 2008 and they are doing more to clean up beaches over the next few years. "But progress overall went backwards last year. That's unacceptable and we need to do better. I want to see the numbers going in the right direction again. "I know that retailers want to do better too but if they don't I will be asking them to explain why not. "They also need to know that the Government has options at its disposal - including legislating as other countries have done. We will continue to look carefully at all options in order to make sure that we further reduce the use of single use plastic bags." The number of disposable bags used by shoppers has plummeted since 2006 after campaigners raised awareness of the environmental impact they have, including the hazard to wildlife. Last year around 6.8bn were used, up around 5% on the previous year. Retailers in Wales will have to charge 5p on plastic bags from October 1 after the Welsh Assembly Government agreed a crackdown.

900,000 gain from minimum pay rise

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900,000 gain from minimum pay rise Almost 900,000 workers, mainly women, will get a pay rise when the minimum wage breaks through the £6-an-hour barrier for the first time this weekend, union leaders have said. The adult rate jumps by 15p to £6.08 from Saturday, by 6p to £4.98 for 18 to 20-year-olds, and up by 4p to £3.68 for 16 and 17-year-olds, while the apprentice rate goes up by 10p to £2.60. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) said estimates suggested that the 2.5% increase in the adult minimum wage should benefit the public finances by £230 million as tax and national insurance rates increase and the benefits bill falls. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "This rise will put extra cash in the pockets of the UK's lowest-paid workers when they can ill afford to have their pay squeezed by inflation. "Cuts in public services and benefits are hitting the working poor the hardest and this increase is not enough to protect them from falling living standards. "The minimum wage has already helped hundreds of thousands of families without causing significant job losses and its success has shown that despite much scare-mongering from some employers, sensible labour market regulation is good for business." Unions are pressing the Low Pay Commission to be "bolder" in recommending next year's rise, with some leaders believing a "living wage" of more than £8 an hour is needed.

Jackson guard tells of tragic scene

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Jackson guard tells of tragic scene The last days of Michael Jackson's life were filled with the adulation of fans, a rehearsal performance onlookers described as amazing and intense preparations for his big comeback in London, a court heard. In good spirits, Jackson chatted with well-wishers outside his home and at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles where he practised songs and dance routines before he returned home. Then, things took a tragic turn, Jackson's personal assistant Michael Amir Williams told the trial of the doctor charged with involuntary manslaughter in the 50-year-old superstar's death in June 2009. Mr Williams, who had gone with him to the rehearsal and had dropped Jackson at home, said he got a frantic call the next day from Jackson's doctor, Dr Conrad Murray. "He said, 'Get here right away. Mr Jackson had a bad reaction'. He said, 'Get someone up here right away'," Mr Williams told the Los Angeles jury. A security guard, Faheem Muhammad, told the court he arrived at Jackson's bedroom to find Murray sweating and nervous, leaning over Jackson and trying to revive him. He said Jackson's two older children, Paris and Prince, were in shock, and Paris fell to the ground, curled up and weeping. Moments later, Mr Muhammad said, he heard Murray ask if anyone knew CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). Evidence on the second day of the trial helped shed light on what Dr Murray did and did not do after he found Jackson unconscious. Dr Murray, 58, who has pleaded not guilty, could face up to four years in prison and would have to relinquish his medical licence. On June 24 2009, the day before Jackson's death, Dr Murray was in negotiations to join Jackson on his tour as his personal physician, said lawyer Kathy Jorrie of concert giant AEG Live. She said she was gathering information for an insurance company to make sure Jackson was in good health and could be insured. "Dr Murray told me repeatedly that Michael Jackson was perfectly healthy, in excellent condition. Don't worry about it. He's great," she recalled. The trial continues.

Shark horror Briton fights for life

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Shark horror Briton fights for life A Briton is fighting for his life after he was mauled by a shark while swimming in South Africa. The 42-year-old man, reported to be part-time accountant Michael Cohen, was attacked by a great white at Fish Hoek beach in Cape Town. Reports said Mr Cohen was rescued by a bystander after he ignored shark warnings to go swimming. National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesman Craig Lambinon told the South African Press Association (Sapa): "It appears he was rescued from the water by a bystander who left the scene before we could identify him. On arrival, a 42-year-old man was found on the shore suffering complete amputation of his right leg, above the knee, and partial amputation of his left leg, below the knee." Mr Lambinon said the victim was believed to live in the Cape Town suburb of Plumstead. He was stabilised at the scene and then airlifted to Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic in a critical condition. Mr Lambinon said: "The man was conscious when paramedics attended to him on the beach, but was sedated on-scene by paramedics in their efforts to stabilise the patient." The city of Cape Town told Sapa that, when the man entered the water, the beach was still closed. A shark flag, indicating the presence of a great white, was flying. A shark spotter stationed on the beach was warned by a fellow spotter on the mountain that someone had entered the water. The spotter then ran to Clovelly Corner to try to get the swimmer out of the water, but the attack took place before he could reach him. Spotters had sighted the shark 90 minutes before the attack, and closed the beach. The white shark flag was raised and the siren set off. Mr Cohen was the only person in the water at the time.

Greek economy crunch talks continue

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Greek economy crunch talks continue Financial experts with Greece's economic fate in their hands are back in Athens deciding whether the country qualifies for another slice of bailout money to avert bankruptcy. With European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso admitting the EU is facing its worst-ever crisis, tense talks resume between Greek officials and negotiators from the Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The team, known as the "troika", want hard evidence that Greek austerity measures designed to revive the economy are in place before handing over the latest £7 billion instalment of a £95 billion bailout package approved for Greece by the 17 eurozone countries. Agreement on the latest sum is almost certain in the face of jittery markets which would react badly if Greece was allowed to default on its debts. But the "troika" knows that even agreement on a further bailout does not guarantee market confidence - particularly if the German Parliament today votes against a massive increase in Europe's current bailout fund for struggling euro-economies. The vote is on whether to endorse a eurozone commitment to boost bailout guarantees to 440 billion euros (£383 billion) - a figure already being dismissed as inadequate as the Greek crisis worsens and the prospect of "contagion" to other member states grows. Mr Barroso used his "state of the union" address to MEPs in Strasbourg on Wednesday to admit the scale of the problem facing not just the eurozone but the EU as a whole was the biggest in the bloc's history. He urged patience over the Greek debt problem, insisting Greece would remain in the euro and that tough measures to step up monitoring and control over eurozone economies would help stabilise the single currency. He warned: "Greece must implement its commitments in full and on time. In return, the other euro area members have pledged to support Greece and each other." His speech prompted a rise in markets - but that could fall back if the troika talks today end in deadlock, as they have before. However, new austerity measures approved by the Greek Parliament on Tuesday in the form of a controversial property tax, raised the prospect of agreement on more bailout cash to ease immediate needs in Athens.

Travellers seek 'unlawful' ruling

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Travellers seek 'unlawful' ruling Residents of the UK's largest illegal travellers' site are to launch their latest legal battle against eviction. They are returning to the High Court seeking a ruling that it would be "disproportionate and unlawful" and a breach of their human rights to clear them from Dale Farm near Basildon, Essex. Basildon Council has been battling for a decade to remove the travellers and their children. The costly tangle of litigation generated has been condemned by critics as a "farce". The one-day application for judicial review is being launched as the Dale Farm saga becomes a national issue. According to a YouGov poll, two-thirds of the British public support the council's attempt to clear 51 illegal plots which are home to about 400 travellers. The residents applied to English Heritage to gain official protection status for the scaffolding gateway at the entrance, but the application was rejected on Wednesday afternoon. They say it has become an "emblem of the struggle for travellers' rights". The structure has been in place at the former scrapyard for five years and acts as part of the defence against bailiffs, a Dale Farm Solidarity spokesman said. The clearance of the six-acre site was due to begin last week but a High Court injunction prevented bailiffs moving in while the courts grappled with fresh legal arguments. In the latest legal move, lawyers for the travellers are asking Mr Justice Ouseley, sitting at London's High Court, to rule that it would be unlawful "at this point in time" for the council to pursue its eviction policy. They are expected to argue it would have grave consequences for the large number of children living on the site and their schooling, and those with medical conditions. The judge is being asked to quash the eviction decision on the grounds that it violates the travellers' Article 8 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Bystanders saved shark bite Briton

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Bystanders saved shark bite Briton A British shark attack victim whose leg was bitten off was saved by quick-thinking bystanders who applied a makeshift tourniquet from a wetsuit and two belts, a surgeon said. Michael Cohen, 42, was mauled by the great white while swimming at Fish Hoek beach in Cape Town, South Africa. He emerged from the water bleeding profusely from his right thigh and left ankle which was also bitten through. Surgeon professor Andrew Nichol said Mr Cohen was critical but stable in hospital after receiving more than seven litres of blood. He paid tribute to those who saved Mr Cohen's life, saying: "That tourniquet has consisted of a wetsuit applied around the thigh and wrapped around with two belts very, very tightly. "It was an amateur tourniquet but it had almost completely resulted in a cessation of blood loss. I just want to commend the first aid work of those on the beach and the tremendous way in which they responded actually saved the life of this patient." It is thought those responsible for saving Mr Cohen left the beach without passing on their details. Mr Cohen is believed to be a part-time accountant living in the Cape Town suburb of Plumstead. He was airlifted to Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic where he arrived fully conscious. Medics stabilised him and battled to save his life, taking him into surgery where the tourniquet was removed. Prof Nichol said: "We continued with the resuscitation and stabilisation. In theatre it was fairly obvious that nothing could be done as there were was no right lower leg so we just formalised the amputation on that site surgically."

Bomb plot pair 'walking streets'

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Bomb plot pair 'walking streets' Two extremists linked to the failed July 21 bomb plot are among at least seven foreign-born terrorists who should have been deported but are still free to walk the streets, sources have confirmed. Most are using human rights laws to stay in the UK, claiming they would face ill-treatment if sent back to their home countries. Siraj Ali, who allowed some of the July 21 attack gang to stay in his flat while they were making the bombs and also helped clear incriminating evidence from the bomb factory at a friend's home, was released earlier this year. Ali, who was jailed for nine years for failing to disclose information about terrorism and assisting an offender, was pictured walking the streets of north London last week. He claims it would breach his human rights to deport him to the African state of Eritrea. Ismail Abdurahman, who looked after terrorist Hussain Osman immediately before he fled the country on July 26, 2005, has also been released on licence after serving part of an eight-year jail term. He is fighting deportation to Somalia. Under Article Three of the European Convention on Human Rights, which is enshrined in UK law under the Human Rights Act, individuals are protected against torture, inhuman or degrading treatment. A Home Office spokesman said: "We believe any foreign criminal convicted of a serious terrorism-related offence should be removed from the UK at the earliest opportunity, and where possible held in immigration detention until deported. "We are currently pursuing deportation against a number of individuals and will consider action against the rest towards the end of their sentences."

Travellers launch fresh legal bids

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Travellers launch fresh legal bids Residents of the UK's largest illegal travellers' site have launched a fresh, three-pronged attack on moves to evict them. They came to the High Court in London with a battery of legal arguments contained in three separate applications for judicial review to stop the clearance of Dale Farm near Basildon, Essex. Basildon Council has been battling for a decade to remove the travellers and their children. The costly tangle of litigation already generated has been condemned by critics as a "farce". The first challenge was brought by Irish traveller Mary Sheridan. Her counsel, Marc Willers, said the case had an "extensive history" but Ms Sheridan was not claiming she should be allowed to stay at Dale Farm "forever - or indeed for many years, or even a year". Mr Willers said: "This claim is brought on this basis: there is no alternative, suitable accommodation at this point in time, and it would be disproportionate to be forced to leave in the absence of such accommodation." It was not being suggested that Ms Sheridan felt she had any hope or prospect of being granted planning permission at Dale Farm in the future. The judge heard the other claims for judicial review would raise several other legal issues under human rights legislation and planning law. The hearing is now expected to take at least two days. The clearance of the six-acre site at Dale Farm was due to begin last week after legal proceedings were apparently exhausted after many years of court hearings. But a new High Court injunction prevented bailiffs moving in while the courts grappled with fresh legal arguments. According to a YouGov poll, two-thirds of the British public support the council's attempt to clear 51 illegal plots which are home to about 400 travellers. The residents unsuccessfully applied to English Heritage for official protection status for the scaffolding gateway at the site entrance. They say it has become an "emblem of the struggle for travellers' rights".

Stores sale protects 2,700 jobs

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Stores sale protects 2,700 jobs The owner of womenswear chains Ann Harvey and Kaliko was saved from collapse as it was bought out of administration by a private equity firm in a deal set to protect nearly 3,000 jobs. Alexon, which employs 2,700 staff across more than 990 outlets in the UK and Europe, was bought by Sun European Partners, owner of sofa chain ScS, in a pre-pack administration deal for an undisclosed sum. The widely-expected sale comes shortly after Luton-based Alexon, which owns brands including Dash and Eastex, suspended its shares after it failed to find a solution to its funding problems. The firm, one of a number of retailers hit by a consumer spending squeeze, warned earlier this month that profits would be "well below" expectations following a sales slump.

Clegg: We must remain united in EU

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Clegg: We must remain united in EU Nick Clegg will urge Europe to remain united after one of his most senior Tory colleagues condemned the eurozone as a "burning building with no exits". The Deputy Prime Minister is to warn of the dangers of "fragmentation" amid frantic efforts to control the sovereign debt crisis. It would be a "disaster" if EU members "turned away from each other" rather than working together to overcome problems, the Liberal Democrat leader will tell an audience in Poland. His tone contrasts sharply with that of Foreign Secretary William Hague, who on Wednesday night reiterated his desire for Britain to take back powers from Europe - a demand set to be echoed by right-wingers at the Conservative Party conference next week. Mr Clegg's speech comes as talks resume between Greek officials, European Commission negotiators, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund over whether Greece can receive another chunk of bailout loans. Greece will need to demonstrate that its austerity measures are working before its gets the latest £7 billion instalment of a £95 billion package approved by the 17 eurozone countries. Markets will be waiting for positive news as stocks have plunged recently on fears Greece could default on its massive debt. And traders will also be fearing that the German Parliament today votes against a big rise in Europe's current bailout fund for struggling euro-economies. Mr Hague described the single currency as a "historical monument to collective folly", and said he believed Germans would have to subsidise weaker members such as Greece for "the rest of their lifetimes". In his speech to the EU Eastern Partnership summit meeting in Warsaw, Mr Clegg will say that the eurozone members will have to integrate further in order to overcome the current crisis. However, he will stress that it must not lead to the creation of a "divisive and weaker" EU which sets "euro ins" against "euro outs". "Europe is clearly embarking on a period of change," he is to say. "The danger we face is of change leading to fragmentation. That we become divided, turning away from each other, both within the European Union and with our partners who are not, or not yet, members of it. That would be a disaster."

Miliband calls for pension talks

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Miliband calls for pension talks It is the Government's responsibility to avoid a mass walkout by public sector workers angry over changes to their pensions, Labour leader Ed Miliband has said. Mr Miliband said ministers were wrong to have "slapped a 3% tax rise" on those in the public sector and must engage in "serious negotiations" to prevent industrial action on November 30. He also revealed that his elder brother David, whom he defeated in last year's Labour leadership contest, had advised him to "be your own person" and "say what you think" in his keynote speech to the party conference in Liverpool. Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, won warm applause from delegates this week when he said that millions of workers - and the union - expected to be backed by Labour "and its leadership". Mr Miliband said: "The most important thing is that we have proper negotiations and the Government engages seriously in the negotiations. At the moment what the Government has done is slapped a 3% tax rise on public sector workers without properly negotiating, without it being recommended by an independent report. "I say the Government should not be doing that, it should be engaging in proper, serious negotiations with the trade unions. It's their responsibility to stop the strike, which is after all scheduled for two months' time if a ballot goes through, it's their responsibility to stop it happening." During a question and answer session at the conference, Mr Miliband was urged to bring his brother back from "political Siberia" and faced accusations that family feuding was holding the party back. Mr Miliband said he had spoken to his brother, who missed Tuesday's speech because he was in the US, and he had offered him advice. He said: "I talked to him before the speech, he's currently abroad, and he gave me good advice. The advice was 'be your own person, say what you think' and that's what I did and that's what I'm going to keep doing. "What I've set out is a vision for how we can change this country and where I stand - against the closed circles of Britain that hold people back. We've seen that today, the top universities not doing enough to open up to state school pupils, that's wrong, I think it's got to change. "How are we going to take on the vested interests at the top of our society, whether it's the energy companies or the banks, real changes that can help the people of Britain?"

Ferdinand to hear privacy ruling

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Ferdinand to hear privacy ruling Rio Ferdinand is to learn if he has won his High Court privacy action over a "kiss and tell" story. Mr Justice Nicol has been asked to award the England and Manchester United star a maximum of £50,000 damages and a worldwide "contra mundum" injunction. Ferdinand, 32, brought his case for misuse of private information against MGN Ltd over a Sunday Mirror article in which interior designer Carly Storey gave her account of their 13-year relationship in return for £16,000. He has branded the April 2010 piece - "My affair with England captain Rio" - a "gross invasion of my privacy", and said he had not seen Ms Storey for six years by the time it appeared. The article claimed that Ferdinand, who has three children with wife Rebecca, ended the relationship within days of being handed the England skipper's armband in February 2010. MGN says it was in the public interest to run the story about the centre back, who replaced John Terry as England captain before Terry was reinstated by manager Fabio Capello this year. Its counsel, Gavin Millar QC, said at a hearing in London in July that Ferdinand was appointed England captain on the basis of being reformed and responsible. In fact, as the article said, this was not the case. He argued that the case was not really about Ferdinand's privacy but about the effect on the public image he had so painstakingly constructed, and was without merit.

Heat is on to break mercury record

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Heat is on to break mercury record Britain is set to sizzle again as forecasters predicted record-breaking temperatures will bake the country. The hottest September 29 was recorded in York in 1895 when the mercury peaked at 27.8C (82F), and meteorologists think the record could be broken during the unusual mini-heatwave. The balmy conditions are set to continue into the weekend, which is likely to see many sun-seekers heading to parks, rivers and coastal areas. The unseasonably warm weather is more than 10C (18F) higher than the average temperature for the end of September. Paul Mott, meteorologist for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "We are still on for some exceptionally warm weather until Sunday. "Temperatures will probably reach 28C (82.4F) over the London area. Central and eastern England could reach up to 27C (80.6F), so it is very warm indeed. That is a good 10C to 11C (18F to 20F) warmer than what we would expect for this time of year." The hottest place in Britain on Wednesday was St Helier, in Jersey, where the heat soared to 27.3C (81.1F). One city has announced that its gritting lorries will be on standby for snow from this Saturday, despite the hot weather. Plymouth City Council said that because of damage caused by the last two harsh winters, its seven gritters will be on standby for the next six months to keep the city's main roads open. It is also planning a public road show on Saturday, giving people advice about which roads will be gritted and "information about how to travel safely when there is ice or snow on the roads". It said that if there is snow and ice this winter, it plans to grit 42% of the city's road network - almost 250 miles of roads. Councillor Kevin Wigens, the council's cabinet member for transport, said: "Keeping the road network clear and moving is essential to Plymouth's people and economy - and we are as prepared as we can be. Our salt store is full and our gritters will be ready to go from October 1."

Fake medicines seized in crackdown

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Fake medicines seized in crackdown Millions of pounds of fake medicines have been seized as soaring numbers of cash-strapped Britons gamble with their lives buying counterfeit drugs over the internet. About 1.2 million suspect doses were discovered in or en route to the UK during a seven-day crackdown on rogue websites selling treatments for an array of conditions including epilepsy and cancer. More than £5 million-worth of unlicensed pharmaceuticals was found across the globe as part of the largest operation of its kind. Seizures relating to the industry in Britain have risen sixfold over the past year, according to figures from the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The Interpol-led operation, which concluded on Tuesday, came after two English schoolgirls were admitted to hospital with heart problems caused by weight loss pills bought online. Nimo Ahmed, of the MHRA, said the dangers of the online drug industry reach well beyond the millions of Britons being harassed by email hackers to buy fake Viagra. He said the bogus pharmaceutical industry was worth billions of pounds across the world as Britons log on to buy cheaper alternatives to over-the-counter pharmacies. Fake drugs are shipped into the country from across the world, with the industry growing fastest in China and Russia. Mr Ahmed said: "It's vital that these organised criminals are targeted. Not only are they making harmful drugs, they are making millions, if not billions, of pounds in the process." London paramedic Lorna Lambden, 27, was discovered dead last December after buying sleeping pills over the internet to help her cope with her demanding shifts. Authorities, including the UK Border Agency and Scotland Yard, carried out 16 warrants in the UK, making 13 arrests and taking down almost 13,000 websites. Bogus treatments for epilepsy, asthma, acne, narcolepsy, breast cancer, erectile dysfunction, weight loss, pain relief and human growth hormone drugs were found in raids at a number of locations including Brighton, Wembley, in north west London, and Ebbw Vale, near Cardiff. The operation is the largest internet-targeting enforcement action of its kind, with 80 countries participating in this year's event, the MHRA said. Across the world, 55 people were arrested or placed under investigation. In conjunction with UKBA, the MHRA seized illegal medicine worth about £2 million, including 52,000 doses of counterfeit pills.

Pit firm in court over mine death

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Pit firm in court over mine death The firm which runs the pit where a miner died earlier this week will appear in court on Friday in relation to the death of another worker at the same colliery. Representatives from UK Coal will appear at Pontefract Magistrates' Court to answer allegations of health and safety breaches relating to the death of miner Ian Cameron at Kellingley Colliery. Mr Cameron, 46, died when equipment fell on him at the North Yorkshire pit in October 2009. Earlier this week, Gerry Gibson, 49, died at Kellingley after a roof fall. Mr Gibson's death was the third death in three years at the colliery. Miner Don Cook died in September 2008 in a rock fall. This week's incident came just a few weeks after the flooding of the Gleision Colliery in South Wales, which claimed the lives of four miners. The Health and Safety Executive confirmed UK Coal is due to appear in court alongside mining equipment firm Joy Mining Machinery Limited. UK Coal is charged with a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Worcester-based Joy Mining Machinery Limited is charged with breaching Section 6(1)(d) of the same Act. In a separate prosecution, UK Coal is due to be sentenced in October for breaching health and safety regulations in cases relating to the deaths of four miners at pits in the Midlands. The firm has admitted safety breaches in relation to the deaths of Trevor Steeples, 46, at the Daw Mill colliery, near Coventry, in June 2006; Paul Hunt, who died in August 2006 following another accident at Daw Mill; Anthony Garrigan, who died in January 2007, again at Daw Mill; and Paul Milner, who was fatally injured at Welbeck Colliery, near Mansfield, Notts, in November 2007.
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