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Markets down over eurozone fears

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Markets down over eurozone fears Mounting uncertainty in the eurozone is continuing to plague European markets as leaders from the world's wealthiest nations fight for a resolution to the region's debt crisis. The FTSE 100 Index opened more than 1% lower after EU leaders, in Cannes for the G20 summit, told Greece that its referendum on the hard-won rescue deal will decide whether it remains in the eurozone. German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Nicolas Sarkozy told Athens it will not receive its next eight billion euro (£6.9 billion) bailout tranche until the referendum has passed. Stan Shamu, market strategist at IG Markets, commented: "It is certainly crunch time in Europe now with the next few weeks set to be nail-biting." Germany's DAX was down 2 after the latest developments in Cannes also triggered a weak session in Asia. Greek prime minister George Papandreou shocked the markets on Monday when he unexpectedly announced plans for a referendum on the eurozone rescue deal, which is now expected to be held on December 4. Ms Merkel and Mr Sarkozy are understood to have effectively warned Mr Papandreou that his debt-ridden country could be cast from the eurozone - the first admission that such an exit is possible. A rejection of the austerity plan by Greek voters could trigger a disorderly default on the country's debt that would probably cause massive losses for creditors and possibly spark a wider banking crisis that could send Europe into recession. The banking sector was once again the big loser amid the increased uncertainty, with Barclays down 3%, HSBC off 2%, and Royal Bank of Scotland falling 1%. Meanwhile, problems in the eurozone are not limited within Greece, with Italian borrowing costs hitting eurozone record highs as prime minister Silvio Berlusconi pushed through a new budget plan that did not include plans to change tax rates or reform labour markets.

Pension strike looms as union votes

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Pension strike looms as union votes The prospect of a strike by millions of public sector workers over pensions looks set to come a step nearer when the result of a ballot by the biggest union involved in the dispute is announced. Unison, which represents staff ranging from refuse collectors and school dinner ladies to social workers, will reveal the outcome of voting by its members, who were urged to back a 24-hour walkout on November 30. The union mounted a big campaign to persuade its members to vote yes, and officials said when the ballot was launched last month that they expected support for a stoppage. The Government will study details of how many workers took part in the ballot as well as any majority in favour of action. Members of the NASUWT teachers' union start voting on industrial action from Friday and other unions will announce the result of their ballots in the coming weeks, raising the threat of the biggest strike in a generation on November 30. Unions are pressing ahead with plans for the strike despite a new Government offer on public sector pensions described as the "chance of a lifetime". Hours after receiving details of the new offer from Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude on Wednesday, union leaders said they welcomed the proposed changes, but they were not enough to call off the planned industrial action. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said there were still "major areas of concern" over the Government's proposals, which will lead to increased pension contributions and later retirement. Ministers warned that the offer could be withdrawn if there was no agreement reached by the end of the year and replaced with less generous arrangements. Mr Alexander said: "I reserve the right to reconsider whether these enhancements are appropriate under circumstances where agreement is not reached."

Three sought over devices hoax

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Three sought over devices hoax Detectives investigating an "elaborate hoax" which saw two suspicious devices closing down parts of a city centre have released CCTV footage of three women believed to have been involved. Two areas of Canterbury in Kent were evacuated on the evening of August 26 after a suspicious package was found near a railway line and a second suspect package was discovered after a fire started in a baby changing room in an Marks & Spencer store. Detectives said they now know that at least three pay-as-you-go mobile phones were used in the execution of these hoaxes to allow those behind it to contact police, each other and the media. The phones were bought in a mobile phone shop in the West End of London at around lunchtime on Sunday August 14, although they were activated for the first time on the day before the hoaxes were committed, in the south-east London area. Police are issuing CCTV images of a group of three women who attended the shop and purchased the three phones who they believe may hold vital information. The case will also feature in the BBC's Crimewatch programme. Detective Chief Inspector Tom Richards, of Kent Police, who is leading the investigation, said: "Following an extensive investigation, we have established that the bomb hoaxes in Canterbury on Friday August 26 appear to be a sophisticated criminal act with elaborate hoax devices guaranteed to cause considerable disruption and distress to the people and businesses in Canterbury and to the travelling public. "This is a very unusual case and we believe those responsible are an organised group who had put serious and meticulous planning into committing these offences, although at this time the motive behind the hoaxes is still unclear and no-one had claimed responsibility for them. "I really want to appeal to the public to help us identify the people in the CCTV images. These people could be from anywhere so I would ask people to take a good look at the images and if you recognise anyone, please call us. I would especially appeal to the women who were in the phone shop to get in touch with us as we believe they might hold information vital to this case." Previously-released CCTV showed a man who was seen in Marks & Spencer shortly before the alarm was raised. He was white, aged 35 to 40, 5ft 9in, and was wearing dark clothing, possibly cycling clothes, including leggings and cycling shoes, and a dark baseball cap. Anyone with information is asked to call the Kent Police incident room on 01303 289600, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Man held on Australia 'faked death'

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Man held on Australia 'faked death' A British man accused of faking his own death as part of a life insurance scam has been arrested in Australia after a six-year hunt by authorities. Hugo Sanchez, who also went by the first name Alfredo, was arrested in Sydney on Wednesday. Sanchez and his wife Sophie were living in Surrey when they found themselves deeply in debt, according to the Crown Prosecution Service. Sanchez is accused of convincing his wife to tell authorities and his employer that he died while overseas so she could collect his life insurance. Mrs Sanchez began claiming on the life insurance policies, but suspicions were roused when Sanchez's own fingerprints were found on his death certificate, the prosecution service said. Mrs Sanchez, 43, was arrested and admitted her husband was still alive. She pleaded guilty to six fraud offences and was sentenced to two years in jail last December. Sanchez has appeared briefly in a Sydney court. His lawyer, Jim Nicopoulos, told the court he would not contest extradition to the UK.

Match-fix cricketers face sentence

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Match-fix cricketers face sentence Three of the world's top cricketers are facing possible jail terms when they are sentenced for match-fixing. Pakistan former Test captain Salman Butt, 27, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif, 28, and Mohammad Amir, 19, plotted to bowl deliberate no-balls in the Lord's Test against England last summer as part of a lucrative betting scam. Corrupt cricket agent Mazhar Majeed, 36, will also be sentenced for plotting to bowl deliberate no-balls in the Test last August. The maximum sentence for cheating is two years in jail and an unlimited fine, while accepting corrupt payments carries a sentence of up to seven years and an unlimited fine. London's Southwark Crown Court heard that Majeed had paid Asif £65,000 to stop him switching to a rival match-fixing ring. Asif received the money at the request of other players in his national side who feared he might be tempted to start working for another crooked gambling syndicate, the court was told. The agent received £150,000 in cash from an undercover reporter from the News of the World as part of an arrangement to rig games, including a promise that Amir and Asif would deliver three no-balls at pre-arranged points in the Lord's match. He paid £2,500 of the money to Amir, £10,000 to Butt and £65,000 to Asif, and planned to give them more in the future, the court heard. Majeed, a married businessman with three young children, from Croydon, south London, claimed he only became involved in fixing at the request of Butt, whom he managed and was close friends with, the court heard. Majeed has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to make corrupt payments. The International Cricket Council imposed five-year bans on all three cricketers in February over the deliberate no-balls at Lord's. They are all appealing against the suspensions. Judge Mr Justice Cooke will sentence all four men.

Riots offered 'a day like no other'

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Riots offered 'a day like no other' The riots which swept across England this summer offered young people "a day like no other", a chance to get "free stuff" and a golden opportunity to get away with as much as possible, a report said. The study, thought to be the first to be based on what young people themselves have to say about the riots, found that for some "moments of madness" led to atypical behaviour. But for many young people, the decision whether to get involved was based on whether they felt the benefits to themselves outweighed the risks. The report, carried out by the National Centre for Social Research and published by the Cabinet Office, found that how and whether young people acted for the buzz, to get "free stuff" or to get back at the police depended on a range of factors, including group dynamics, peer pressure and what they saw happening in families and communities around them. Curious watchers who went out to see what happened got caught up in events and became opportunistic looters, while thrill-seekers who went out for the buzz became opportunistic looters, the report said. And someone who initially saw the actions as justifiable could end up deciding the personal risk was too great to get involved, while someone who was initially unsure about taking part could end up deciding the chance of getting caught was minimal and so got involved. But despite the wide range of reasons behind the riots, the underlying factors and issues were "very similar" in each of the areas where the looting and violence took place, the report said. A previous history of criminality and involvement with the police, the attitudes and attachment to family and community, and wider societal factors such as local youth provision, poverty and materialism all played their part. Scenes of young people damaging properties, stealing goods and getting away with it also encouraged others to join in. And the feeling of boredom, that there was "nothing better to do", was also "an important 'nudge' factor", the report said. But being in work, an apprenticeship or some other activity helped stop others from getting involved. Families and parents were also seen as having an important role in stopping young people from joining in.

Greece PM move sends FTSE 1% higher

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Greece PM move sends FTSE 1% higher Investors have returned to the market amid reports Greece was increasingly likely to call off its referendum on the eurozone rescue package. The FTSE 100 Index rose more than 1%, or 61.5 points, to 5545.6, as it emerged that Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou would do a U-turn on his decision to put the rescue deal to the public vote. Markets slumped when he announced the referendum earlier this week in a move that meant Greece could jeopardise the entire rescue package and plunge the markets back into chaos. But they pushed ahead again after Mr Papandreou said he would try to pass the package through the Greek Parliament rather than let the public have their say.

Half adult abuse 'happens in home'

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Half adult abuse 'happens in home' Almost half of alleged abuse towards vulnerable adults takes place in their own homes, research suggests. An NHS Information Centre report found that of 94,500 such incidents logged last year, 39,300 cases - or 42% - were said to have taken place in the alleged victim's home. A further 35% occurred in care homes, the report said. The data comes from cases of abuse reported to English councils' adult safeguarding teams between April 2010 and March 2011. The victims are vulnerable adults who can be unable to take care of themselves or need social care because of mental or other disabilities. A quarter of the alleged incidents were perpetrated by a family member, including the victim's partner. Social workers were alleged to have carried out 29% of the abuse. More than one in 10 (13%) of the alleged abusers were other vulnerable adults while 12% were either a neighbour, friend, stranger, volunteer or other professional. More than a third (36%) of the incidents involved physical abuse. Neglect (28%) and so-called financial abuse (24%), including fraud and theft, were also commonly involved in the incidents. Emotional or physical abuse accounted for 19 involved sexual, discriminatory or institutional abuse. Some of the cases involved more than one type of abuse. By the end of the financial year, 32% of the reports of abuse were substantiated, with 28 not substantiated. A further 9% of reports were partially substantiated. The findings are provisional and the final figures will be published in March next year. The NHS Information Centre is still waiting for Nottingham City Council to return its data. Care services minister Paul Burstow said: "These figures are an absolute scandal. No one should have to put up with abuse. This is the first publication of mandatory data of this kind. It demonstrates our total commitment to shining a light on poor care." He added: "The tough new measures this Government is introducing will help root out and tackle abuse wherever it exists."

Match fix cricketers behind bars

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Match fix cricketers behind bars Three disgraced Pakistan cricketers are starting prison sentences for their parts in a match-fixing scam that rocked world sport. Ex-Test captain Salman Butt, 27, was jailed for two-and-a-half years for his role as the "orchestrator" of a plot to bowl deliberate no-balls in the Lord's Test against England last summer. Former world number two Test bowler Mohammad Asif, 28, received a 12-month prison term for delivering one of the fraudulent no-balls. Mohammad Amir, 19, who had been tipped to become one of the all-time great fast bowlers, was detained for six months in a young offenders institution after he admitted bowling two intentional no-balls at Lord's. Mazhar Majeed, 36, the corrupt London-based sports agent at the heart of the fixing scandal, was jailed for two years and eight months. Passing sentence at London's Southwark Crown Court, Mr Justice Cooke said the four men had damaged the integrity of cricket and betrayed all fans of the sport through their greed. He said they engaged in corruption in a game whose very name used to be associated with "fair dealing on the sporting field", adding that future matches would forever be tainted by the fixing scandal. The judge told the four men: "'It's not cricket' was an adage. It is the insidious effect of your actions on professional cricket and the followers of it that make the offences so serious. "The image and integrity of what was once a game but is now a business is damaged in the eyes of all, including the many youngsters who regarded you as heroes and would have given their eye teeth to play at the levels and with the skills that you had." The judge said he took into account the five-year bans all three players have received from the International Cricket Council (ICC) but added that only prison sentences were sufficient to deter other cricketers or agents from becoming involved in corrupt activities. The fixing scandal emerged after an undercover News of the World reporter approached Majeed in August last year pretending to be a wealthy Indian businessman seeking major international cricketers for a tournament. The agent, from Croydon, south London, was secretly filmed accepting £150,000 in cash from the journalist as part of an arrangement to rig games. Majeed promised the reporter that Asif and Amir would deliver three no-balls at specific points during the Test between Pakistan and England at Lord's from August 26 to 29 last year. He also claimed he had been carrying out match-fixing for two-and-a-half years and had seven players from Pakistan's national side working for him.

Unison votes for pension row action

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Unison votes for pension row action The prospect of a strike by millions of public sector workers has increased after members of the biggest public sector union voted in favour of industrial action in the bitter row over pensions. Unison said its members, ranging from school dinner ladies and refuse collectors to social workers and NHS staff, backed a campaign of industrial action. The union is now set to strike on November 30, when teachers, civil servants and other public sector workers will also be staging a walkout - the biggest in the UK for decades. It was the biggest ballot in union history, with Unison sending out 1.1 million voting papers to its members, along with a strong recommendation to back strikes. Unions are pressing ahead with plans for the strike despite a new Government offer on public sector pensions described as the "chance of a lifetime". Unison said 245,358 voted in favour, with 70,253 against. General secretary Dave Prentis said: "The decisive 'yes' vote in the ballot reflects the deep concern that our members have over Government ministers' proposals for their pensions. "Yesterday's statement in Parliament was a marked improvement on earlier proposals. But it is important to understand that the statement has to be translated into offers in the scheme specific talks. We still have had no offer in those negotiations, where such an offer can legitimately be made. "We support the TUC day of action on November 30, but will be negotiating right up to then and beyond to get a fair deal for our members." Senior Unison officials are meeting to discuss the latest Government statement on pensions and to decide what action to take as a result of the strike ballot. Downing Street said the strike vote was "disappointing, unnecessary and potentially damaging". A No 10 spokeswoman added: "We have a good deal on the table - one that is fair and affordable - and we would urge the trade unions to reconsider and look at the deal on the table."

Man held on Australia 'faked death'

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Man held on Australia 'faked death' A British man wanted for allegedly faking his own death as part of a £1.25 million life insurance scam has been arrested in Australia. Hugo Sanchez, 47, was accused of fraud after police allegedly discovered his own fingerprints on his death certificate. The web designer, formerly known as Alfredo, was discovered in Sydney following a six-year international man-hunt. Authorities are now seeking his extradition to the UK. Sanchez and his wife Sophie, 43, were accused of staging the elaborate ruse after finding themselves deeply in debt in 2004. Prosecutors claim Ecuador-born Sanchez persuaded his wife to tell the authorities and his employer, HMV, that he died of a heart attack while on holiday in Ecuador in January 2005. The record company paid for Mrs Sanchez to travel to South America from the couple's home in Farnham, Surrey, so she could attend his funeral. She provided a death and cremation certificate and received a death benefit payment of £112,000. She also began claiming on the life insurance policies he had taken out and received a large sum of money as part of his pension package before fleeing the country. In April 2005, she returned to the UK in order to appoint a solicitor to obtain probate on the estate. She provided the firm with the death certificates and went on to complete claim forms in respect of the other insurance policies, some of which settled that year. However an insurance investigator appointed by the larger companies later established that friends and relatives believed Sanchez to be alive and well and living in Costa Rica and the remaining claims were refused. HMV wrote to the Sanchez family requesting return of their monies but did not receive a response and reported the matter to police in 2007. Detectives later identified Sanchez's fingerprints on his death certificate and the couple were jointly charged with fraud. Mrs Sanchez was arrested last September at Heathrow Airport after she arrived in the country for her sister's wedding. She admitted her husband was still alive and was handed a two-year prison term in December after pleading guilty to six counts of fraud at Oxford Crown Court. Sanchez was held on Wednesday by the Australian Federal Police on an international arrest warrant. The UK Government has made an extradition request for Sanchez, a spokesman from the Home Office said.

Greek PM scraps bailout referendum

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Greek PM scraps bailout referendum The Greek prime minister has dramatically scrapped plans for a referendum on the European rescue package amid mounting anger among fellow eurozone leaders. Sources close to George Papandreou said he would not resign but would bow to opposition to his plans to put the bailout deal to a referendum. The Greek leader is under intense pressure after fellow cabinet ministers made clear they did not support the referendum plan amid international anger that it would delay the implementation of the rescue package thrashed out last week. On the eve of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Cannes, French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel pressed Mr Papandreou for a swift resolution to the uncertainty. Mr Sarkozy and Mrs Merkel had indicated that the next tranche of emergency loans would be withheld from Athens until after the poll, which was to have been held early next month. US President Barack Obama insisted that G20 leaders must use the next two days to flesh out plans to resolve the eurozone debt crisis. "The most important aspect of our task over the next few days is to resolve the financial crisis here in Europe," he said. He acknowledged that the European Union had made "some important steps towards a comprehensive solution", but added: "Here at the G20 we are going to have to flesh out more of the details about how the plan will be fully and decisively implemented." Prime Minister David Cameron said that Britain was ready to consider boosting its contribution to the International Monetary Fund's lending facilities for countries in financial crisis. But the Prime Minister insisted, as he arrived for the crunch summit of the G20 leading economies in Cannes, that the UK will not support direct IMF investment in a eurozone bailout fund. Speaking as he went into the G20 summit, which has been dominated by the Greek debt crisis, Mr Cameron told reporters: "I'm here to safeguard the British economy."

At-risk groups skipping flu jab

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At-risk groups skipping flu jab Just one in three people in at-risk groups and 14% of pregnant women have come forward for a flu jab, figures show. New data from the Department of Health reveals more than half (55%) of people over 65 have had the jab, which protects against several strains of flu including swine flu. But only 32% of those under 65 in at-risk groups - such as with diabetes, liver disease, asthma or chest problems and neurological conditions - have come forward. And just 14% of pregnant women have had the vaccine this year. The figures are all slightly up on this time last year but the Government is urging more people to come forward. Some GP practices ran drop-in flu jab clinics in October which have now finished, but patients can still book individual appointments with GPs or practice nurses. Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) shows three people have been admitted to intensive care for flu since the flu season began.Flu activity in the community is regarded as being at a low level at the moment. The news comes as a poll for the Department of Health found 58% of 1,754 people surveyed incorrectly believe the jab can cause flu. Chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said an estimated seven million people in England have had the flu jab so far this year but she wants to see 75 of under-65s in at-risk groups get vaccinated. She said: "I can categorically state that the flu jab does not give you flu. The vaccine does not include the live virus. "It can save your life though. Flu can kill - and it can be particularly dangerous for people in at-risk groups. They are on average 11 times more likely to die from flu than a healthy person is. "If you haven't been called for a flu jab and are in an at-risk group, it's time to contact your GP to make an appointment. If you're in an at-risk group, it's free on the NHS."

200 trafficked in benefits scam

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200 trafficked in benefits scam A Polish gang trafficked more than 200 people to the UK as part of a multimillion-pound benefit fraud scam, police said. Investigators claim criminals tricked foreign victims into signing papers to open bank accounts with the promise of work in Britain. A two-year Scotland Yard campaign, supported by Customs officials and Polish police, culminated this week after more than 30 arrests in swoops across both countries. Investigators claim at least 230 victims were targeted in Poland. Two gang suspects - a man and a woman, both in their 40s - were arrested in London and bailed until next month. The gang was said to have used victims' details to apply for more than £2 million of tax credits and other benefits. Cash from the benefits was siphoned from the UK accounts to banks in Poland. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "It is believed the scam has cost the UK more than £2 million. "Uniformed Polish police officers joined officers from the Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command (SCD9), Territorial Support Group (TSG) and local officers to search addresses in south and east London for further evidence. "The search warrants coincided with police back in Poland arresting suspected members of the gang as they gathered for a wedding. Most of the victims are now back in Poland and have been supported by the Polish authorities."

Unison members vote for strike

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Unison members vote for strike The Government is facing the biggest outbreak of industrial unrest since the 1979 Winter of Discontent after members of the largest public sector union voted in favour of strikes in the bitter row over pensions. Unison said its members, ranging from school dinner ladies and refuse collectors to social workers and NHS staff, backed a campaign of industrial action by 245,358 votes to 70,253, in a 29% turnout. The union is now set to strike on November 30, when teachers, civil servants and other public sector workers will also be staging a walkout in protest at the Government's plans to increase pension contributions. Over 220,000 teachers belonging to the NASUWT will start voting on Friday on industrial action, while other unions will announce the result of their ballots in the coming weeks. The Government said Unison's voting figures showed there was "extremely limited support" for strikes, adding that the NHS had contingency plans in place to ensure quality of patient care was not compromised. Downing Street said the strike vote was "disappointing, unnecessary and potentially damaging". A No 10 spokeswoman said: "We have a good deal on the table - one that is fair and affordable - and we would urge the trade unions to reconsider and look at the deal on the table." Unison's ballot was the biggest in union history, with 1.1 million voting papers sent to its members, including nurses, teaching assistants, social workers, care assistants, paramedics, police staff, school dinner ladies, probation officers, cleaners and other public sector employees. General secretary Dave Prentis said: "The decisive 'yes' vote in the ballot reflects the deep concern that our members have over Government ministers' proposals for their pensions. "Yesterday's statement in Parliament was a marked improvement on earlier proposals. But it is important to understand that the statement has to be translated into offers in the scheme specific talks." Unison said its members in local government voted by 171,428 in favour of strikes, with 54,500 against, in a turnout of 30%, while NHS workers backed action by 73,930 to 15,753 in a 25% turnout. Union officials speculated that between two and three million public sector workers could be on strike on November 30, making it the biggest day of industrial action since the Winter of Discontent in 1979 and even rivalling the 1926 General strike.

Prosecutor closes in Jackson trial

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Prosecutor closes in Jackson trial Michael Jackson's doctor is responsible for the singer's death and for leaving his children without a father, a prosecutor has told jurors. Deputy District Attorney David Walgren invoked Jackson's children early in his final statements, saying that the singer had them in mind in his final days and it was a driving force behind his planned series of comeback concerts. "For Michael's children, this case will go on forever, because they do not have a father," Mr Walgren said. "They do not have a father because of the actions of Conrad Murray." He repeatedly invoked the children - recounting for jurors how Jackson's daughter Paris came upon Murray frantically trying to revive her lifeless father and screaming, "Daddy!" Mr Walgren urged jurors in Los Angeles to convict Murray of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's death on June 25, 2009. Murray denies the charge. "Ladies and gentlemen, the evidence in this case is overwhelming," the prosecutor said after thanking jurors for their attentiveness throughout the case. "Michael Jackson trusted Conrad Murray," Mr Walgren said. "He trusted him with his life." Throughout the trial, Mr Walgren has cast Murray as an inept, reckless physician who was distracted on the morning of Jackson's death after giving the singer a powerful dose of the anaesthetic propofol as a sleep aid. Prosecutors are operating on the theory that while Murray was engaged in lawful practices during his treatment of Jackson, he acted in a criminally negligent way by using propofol as an insomnia treatment without the proper staff or medical equipment, and that he botched resuscitation efforts and lied to other medical personnel about his actions. The majority of the witnesses and evidence was presented by prosecutors, who must convince the jury unanimously and beyond a reasonable doubt to convict Murray. Lead defence lawyer Ed Chernoff is likely to argue that Jackson was responsible for his own death and took a fatal dose of propofol when Murray left his bedroom. Mr Chernoff will also likely rely on the statements of five character witnesses, mostly former patients, to try to convince jurors that he should not be held responsible for Jackson's death.

5,800 possible phone hack victims

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5,800 possible phone hack victims The number of possible victims of phone hacking by the News of the World now stands at close to 5,800, police have said. As of Thursday the total figure is 5,795, the Met said. This is just under 2,000 more than the previous figure of 3,870 given at July's Home Affairs Committee meeting. Police said in a statement: "Operation Weeting continues to analyse relevant material. "It is not possible to give a precise figure about the number of people whose phones have actually been 'hacked' but we can confirm that as of today's date (November 3) the current number of potentially identifiable persons who appear in the material (and who may therefore be victims), where names are noted, is 5,795. "This figure is very likely to be revised in the future as a result of further analysis." The new total came as Carole Caplin, who worked with former prime minister Tony Blair, became the latest celebrity to emerge as a possible victim. A spokesman for Ms Caplin, 49, said she had recently been notified by police that her mobile phone messages were hacked by Glenn Mulcaire while he was working for the now defunct Sunday paper. A number of high-profile figures have taken legal action against News International since the scandal emerged. A High Court judge is due to hear evidence from a group of "lead claimants" at a trial in January - and any rulings he makes are expected to provide a blueprint for the way other claims are dealt with.

Soldier shot dead in Afghanistan

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Soldier shot dead in Afghanistan A soldier has been shot dead in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. The member of the 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment, was killed when his patrol was attacked by insurgents in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province. During the attack, he suffered a fatal gunshot wound, the MoD said. His family have been told. Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie said: "The death of this brave soldier is a tragedy which has affected us all. "His loss will be deeply felt by his family, friends and loved ones, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time." The soldier's death takes the number of British troops who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 to 384. The previous fatal incident involving a British soldier also happened in the Nahr-e Saraj region. Rifleman Vijay Rai, from the 2nd Battalion, died after the checkpoint he was guarding was attacked with small arms fire last month.

Cameron presses G20 to 'boost IMF'

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Cameron presses G20 to 'boost IMF' British taxpayers could be asked to put more cash behind efforts to shore up confidence in the global economy, amid the continuing crisis in the eurozone, it has been confirmed. Prime Minister David Cameron used the G20 summit in France to press for an increase in the resources available to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support ailing economies. The summit opened against the backdrop of remarkable scenes in Athens, where Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou dramatically signalled he was ready to call off the referendum which is threatening to derail the eurozone bailout of his country's economy. Updates from Greece were regularly reported to the meeting of heads of government and finance ministers of the Group of 20 leading economies in Cannes. Some ministers were consulting their BlackBerrys during the talks to check on the latest reports from Athens, amid confusion over whether Mr Papandreou had resigned, cancelled the ballot or called for a national unity government. Chancellor George Osborne said that eurozone leaders in the G20 - including France, Germany and Italy - had shown "a real sense of urgency" about resolving the sovereign debt crisis which has plagued the single currency area for two years. Britain was maintaining pressure on the 17 eurozone states to implement the measures in the October 26 bailout package, including a 50% write-off of Greece's debt and an increase in the eurozone's bailout fund to a massive one trillion euro (£870 billion). But Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne stood firm on their insistence that Britain would not contribute directly or indirectly to a eurozone bailout fund. Sources said it was clear that "strong political pressure" was put on Mr Papandreou to sort out the obstacles to a bailout when he met French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel for eve-of-summit crisis talks. And US President Barack Obama said it was vital to use the G20 meeting to nail down details of the rescue plan. "The most important aspect of our task over the next few days is to resolve the financial crisis here in Europe," said Mr Obama.

Three held after man shot dead

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Three held after man shot dead Three men have been arrested in connection with a shooting in which a man was killed and a teenager injured, Scotland Yard said. The shootings happened close to where a funeral was taking place in East Dulwich, south east London. Police said a man, believed to be in his early 20s, was confirmed dead at the scene. A second male, thought to be in his late teens, was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to the ankle. He was in a stable, non-life-threatening condition. Officers were called to the junction of Forest Hill Road and Rockells Place shortly after 3pm on Thursday. The owner of The Rose pub in Forest Hill Road heard the shots from his office. Ian Moss, 56, said: "I thought it was fireworks, but it turned out to be three gunshots." He said he went outside and saw a man lying in the street, being treated by paramedics. "People were just leaving the funeral," he said. "There were a lot of people in the street, maybe 50-100." Mr Moss believed the second shooting took place in the nearby Honor Oak area soon after the first incident. The shooting happened while the funeral of 17-year-old car crash victim Joel James Lee Morgan - also known as Jozey - was taking place. One mourner, who did not wish to be named, said he did not think the shooting was linked to the funeral.
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