News archive for August 2011

BHF: ‘Charity bag donations sold abroad’

Research by the British Heart Foundation suggests that only a third of items donated in charity bags end up in high street charity shops, with the rest being sold abroad.

Opticians 'should offer blood sugar checks'

Experts have proposed that opticians offer blood checks alongside eye tests to help spot the early signs of diabetes.

Libya's NTC rejects UN military personnel

The UN envoy to Libya has said that the NTC has rejected the notion of deploying any sort of international military force into the country.

Lowrys expected to fetch £370,000

Four rare works by LS Lowry bought by an art-collecting couple in the 1960s and 70s are expected to reach up to £370,000 at auction.

Wootton Bassett service marks end of repatriations

The Wiltshire town of Wootton Bassett is to hold a special service later today to mark the end of military repatriations there.

Mutant strain of Bird Flu hits far East

The UN has warned that a mutant variation of avian flu that can survive vaccines could be spreading throughout Asia.

US musician 'Honey-Boy' Edwards dies

American blues musician, David "Honey-Boy" Edwards, has died at 96 in his Chicago home.

Barack Obama’s uncle arrested on drink driving charges

American authorities have reported that the President’s uncle has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Shark attack funeral to be held in marriage church

The funeral of Ian Redmond who was killed by a shark while on honeymoon will be held in the church in which he was married.

Gaddafi family 'flee to Algeria'

Colonel Gaddafi’s wife and three children have fled Libya and are said to be in Algeria, according to officials of the country.

Awareness of Bowel Cancer 'stubbornly low'

It is the second biggest cause of death in the UK, but awareness of bowel cancer is ‘stubbornly low’ according to a study.

Six-year-old girl Passes GCSE Maths

Deborah Thorpe, from Chadwell Heath in London, has passed GCSE maths with an E grade, taking the exam at just six years old.

Fawlty Towers producer dies

John Howard Davies, who produced Fawlty Towers and The Good Life, has died aged 72 at his home in Oxfordshire.

Police in Tottenham 'could have stopped riots'

David Gilbertson, a retired Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Met, has criticised Tottenham police for a “disgraceful” absence of leadership and strategy during the start of London’s riots.

Rebels appeal for Gaddafi Capture

Rebels in Libya have announced an amnesty for any person belonging to Colonel Gaddafi’s “inner circle” who captures or kills him, as well as a £1 million reward.

TransPennine Rail union Strike begins

The first of two 24 hour strikes on the First TransPennine Express network has begun today after disputes over pay boiled over.

Parkinson’s brain cells ‘breakthrough’

Scientists have generated stem cells from one of the more aggressive forms of Parkinson’s disease.

Sir Paul McCartney debut ballet released by Decca

Decca, the record label that rejected the Beatles fifty years ago, will release Sir Paul McCartney’s debut ballet, Ocean’s Kingdom.

Kim Jong-il in talks with Russian Prime Minister

The North Korean leader is holding talks with Dmitry Medvedev during his first trip to Russia since 2002.

Gaddafi says it’s ‘death or victory’ in Libya

Colonel Gaddafi has made a defiant speech vowing that he will die or triumph in his fight against ‘aggression’ after rebels seized his compound in Tripoli.

Winehouse Toxicology free of illegal substances

Amy Winehouse’s family have stated that the toxicology results show there were “no illegal substances” in her body at the time of her death.

1,400 Rioters appear in Court

New figures show that more than 1,400 people have appeared in court suspected of being involved in the riots that spread across England earlier this month.

Presley songwriter Jerry Leiber dies

Jerry Leiber, the man who wrote Elvis Presley’s Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock, has died at the age of 78.

Andy Coulson given News International Payments

The former News of the World editor was paid by the paper’s parent company while working in government.

Gaddafi’s son defiant in the face of rebels

Saif al-Islam, son of Colonel Gaddafi, has made an appearance in Tripoli after rebels reported that they had arrested him.

Two Held in Pensioner Murder

Two people have been detained in connection with the murder of a 77 year-old woman in Northumberland on Friday.

Modified Ecstasy 'attacks blood cancers'

Scientists have suggested that modifications to the Class A recreational drug could see it fight some blood cancers.

Novelist Soli wins oldest book prize

Tatjani Soli has won Britain’s oldest literary award with her debut novel.

Charge proposed for digging up roads

The government will put forward a proposal as part of a national consultation that means utility companies will be charged for digging roads at busy times.

Fighting continues near Gaddafi Compound

Heavy fighting is continuing in Tripoli near Colonel Gaddafi’s compound after rebels seized control of most of the city on Sunday.

Eight Killed in Afghan Attack on British Council Office

Eight men, all thought to be Afghan policemen, have been killed in a Taliban attack on the British Council office in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Blood Test Clue to Ovarian Cancer

New research suggests that a chemical in blood could soon help doctors detect early sings of ovarian cancer.

Ofcom fine TalkTalk and Tiscali UK £3 million

Broadband company TalkTalk and its subsidiary, Tiscali UK, have been fined £3 million for incorrectly billing over 65,000 customers for services they had not received.

Sir Jimmy Young back at Radio 2

Veteran broadcaster, Sir Jimmy Young, will return to Radio 2 to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Otters now in every English County

A sighting of two otters in Kent has signaled their return to every English county following a mammoth effort to save them from extinction.

Protests in Madrid ahead of Pope’s Visit

Thousands of people have come together in Madrid to protest against the cost of a visit by the Pope hours before his visit is scheduled.

Stolen Rembrandt Found in Church

The Rembrandt sketch that was stolen from a California hotel over the weekend has been discovered in a church 20 miles away.

US Artist Breer Dies

The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art has confirmed that the US artist and film-maker, Robert Breer, has died aged 85.

Total UK Unemployment Increases

The number of people unemployed in the UK has risen by 38,000 to 2.49 million over the three months to June.

Some Riot Sentences ‘too severe’

MPs and justice campaigners feel that some sentences given to people involved in the riots are too harsh.

British Honeymooner Dies in Shark Attack

A British man has died after a shark attack while on honeymoon in the Seychelles.

Gaddafi’s son defiant in the face of rebels

Saif al-Islam, son of Colonel Gaddafi, has made an appearance in Tripoli after rebels reported that they had arrested him.

Rail fares to Increase by 8%

Train commuters will be faced with around an 8% ticket price increase following the release of latest inflation figures.

Home Secretary asks for new Police Guidelines

English and Welsh police are to be given new guidelines concerning dealing with spates of unrest after the riots of last week.

London Olympics to have Radio Station

The BBC will launch a temporary radio station for the Olympics, while BBC3 will solely cover live footage from the games.

Rural Areas to have Extra Broadband Funding

Rural areas in England and Scotland are to be given £363 million to improve weak broadband connections.

Second Oil Leak detected in North Sea

Oil workers have discovered another leak in the flow line underneath the Gannet Alpha platform off Aberdeen.

Brad Pitt in Glasgow for Filming

Parts of Glasgow are being transformed into wastelands over the next two weeks as filming for the newest Brad Pitt film begins.

Female Depression ‘increases stroke risk’

Researchers in America have suggested that women suffering from depression may be at a higher risk of stroke.

Six Die in Jersey Knife Attack

Six people, including three children, have been killed in an attack on the island of Jersey.

£1500,000+ Rembrandt Stolen from Hotel

A Rembrandt drawing valued at £153,625 has been stolen from a California hotel in a “well thought-out, well-executed theft”.

Dramatic Policy Review After Riots

David Cameron is to announce that every government policy is to be reviewed following the riots of last week.

Riots Claim Fifth Victim

Richard Mannington Bowes of Ealing, London, was trying to douse a fire that was started by a gang, who then proceeded to kick and beat him, leaving him with severe head injuries.

Roadside Bomb Claims Five Nato Troops

US International Security Assistance has reported that five Nato troops have been killed by a roadside bomb in Southern Afghanistan.

Lloyd Webber Backs Youth Theatre

Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s foundation is backing an Inverclyde youth theatre to help young people from poorer backgrounds.

Research Uncovers Possible MS Cause

Research published in Nature has reportedly uncovered ways of identifying risk factors concerning developing MS.

Education Secretary Stresses Value of Discipline post-Riots

Michael Gove has stated that new measures to be introduced will address the absence of discipline in schools.

David Cameron to Address Parliament on Riot Measures

MPs are to be recalled for an emergency debate concerning the government’s current system for dealing with unrest.

Menopause-Easing Soy found lacking

Despite general consensus, scientists have stated that soy appears to have no effect on relieving menopause symptoms.

British Actor John Wood Dies at 81

Tony Award winner and CBE holder, John Wood, died on Saturday (6th August 2011) in his sleep.

Tesco to Fight Price-fixing OFT Fine

Tesco has threatened legal action against the Office of Fair Trading after being fined following an inquiry into price-fixing of dairy products.

Tony Curtis’ Belongings to be Sold

Some of the Hollywood legend’s belongings including paintings and sculptures are to be sold at auction in America.

Extra Police to remain in London

Downing Street has stated that the increased police presence will remain in the capital “for as long as needed”.

Musicians ‘emotionally blackmailed’ into Charity performances

A trade union has claimed that professional musicians are regularly ‘emotionally blackmailed’ into performing for free at charitable and fundraising events.

Future Libraries Plans Unveiled

New cost-cutting plans suggest that libraries may end up sharing their premises with police surgeries and health centres.

Food and Drink Chef Dies at 69

Michael Barry, the BBC’s chef for Food and Drink has died after a short illness.

Bear Attack to be Investigated

The team behind the expedition to Norway in which seventeen year old Horatio Chapple was killed by a polar bear have promised to leave "no stone unturned" when investigating.

Riot Violence Spreads across England

The London riots have spread to several major cities in England after a third night of violence.

Exercise particularly beneficial for Cancer Patients

Macmillan Cancer Support recommends cancer patients do two and hours of exercise every week.

New York Film Festival opens with Marilyn

A film about Marilyn Monroe’s stay in England in 1956 will premiere at the New York film festival.

European Central Bank Stabilises Stock Markets

European stock markets have been stabilised following a move from the European Central Bank to buy up government debt.

Australian WW2 ‘White Mouse’ Heroine Dies

Nancy Wake, a former Allied secret agent, has died in London at the age of 98.

Violence Continues after London Riots

Police have reported a spate of ‘copycat criminal activity’ around London after riots broke out in Tottenham.

Two Thirds of Adults use Smartphones

One in three adults in the UK use a Smartphone, according to regulator Ofcom.

Parliament 'cannot ignore debating death penalty e-petition'

House of Commons leader, Sir George Young, has said that MPs must not ignore calls for death penalty debates after Parliament’s e-petitions website is launched.