News archive for January 2012

Spanish Airline Collapses, Leaving Thousands Stranded

Spanair ceased operating on Friday by cancelling over 200 flights, leaving 20,000 travellers stranded

Vocational School Qualifications Cut

Ministers have cut the value of over 3,100 vocational courses in England, ending their recognition in school league tables

RBS Boss Rejects £1m Bonus

Royal Bank of Scotland boss Stephen Hester has succumbed to political and public pressure

Self-Assessment Tax Deadline Extended by 2 Days

No fines will be given to anyone submitting their self-assessment tax return on 1st or 2nd February, due to strikes.

Remaining Monty Pythons to Reunite for Film

Terry Jones has confirmed that the remaining Pythons will reunite for animated film ‘Absolutely Anything’.

Unite: RBS Chief’s £1 million Bonus “Disgusting”

Royal Bank of Scotland boss Stephen Hester is to receive a £963,000 bonus in shares in the publicly-owned bank, which Unite says he should decline.

Heart Attack Deaths Down by 50%

An Oxford University Study has found that deaths from heart attacks have halved in the last decade.

Alex Salmond to Outline Vision for Scottish Independence

Scotland’s First Minister is expected to announce planned legislation on the vote, which he wants to see held in autumn 2014, as part of a public consultation.

Government Loses Solar Subsidies Appeal

The government’s appeal against a decision to block the reduction of solar subsidies has failed.

UK Economy Shrank 0.2% at End of 2011 says ONS

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has given a preliminary estimation that in the last three months of 2011 the UK economy shrank 0.2%.

Cameron: It’s the “right moment” to reform European Court of Human Rights

In a speech in Strasbourg, David Cameron is to announce that now is the time for the European Court of Human Rights to reform.

Hugo & The Artist Dominate Oscar Nominations

Martin Scorcese’s 3D blockbuster Hugo and French silent comedy The Artist received double-figure nominations, whilst Meryl Streep is recognised for her role as Margaret Thatcher.

Julian Assange to host own TV show

The founder of WikiLeaks has announced that he will host his own TV series, interviewing international “key political players, thinkers and revolutionaries”.

Coalition December borrowing at £13.7 billion

The government’s borrowing has fallen for a fourth month in a row.

Gulf Arab states remove observers from Syria

The Gulf Arab states have announced that they will be withdrawing from the Arab League’s observer mission in Syria.

Man held over prison van break-out

A man has been arrested after suspected murderer, John Anslow, escaped from a prison van.

Turkish Anger at French genocide ruling

Turkey has reacted furiously after the French Senate approved a bill that makes it a crime to deny Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians during World War I.

Cosmetic surgeons call for surgery ads ban

The cosmetic industry has said that adverts for surgery should be banned and annual checks carried out on surgeons.

All-white blackbird spotted in Nottinghamshire

Meet the white blackbird that is attracting bird watchers to a country park in Nottinghamshire.

EU ready to ban Iran oil imports

EU foreign ministers are expected to announce a ban on the purchase of Iranian oil at a meeting in Brussels.

Lords presses for change to benefit cap

Peers will lobby for a change to the coalition’s benefit cap plans when the measure is debated in the House of Lords today.

Soul Singer Etta James Dies, Aged 73

US legend died in a Californian hospital with her family by her side, after being diagnosed with leukaemia in 2011

Murder of Betty Yates: Police receive anonymous letters

Police investigating the murder of the 77-year-old former teacher have received two anonymous letters relating to the crime.

Security extremely tight after two Londonderry Bombings

A huge security operation is taking place in Londonderry following two bomb attacks in the city on Thursday night.

Six killed in Kandahar airport attack

At least six people have been killed in a suicide attack at Kandahar’s international airport in south Afghanistan.

Survey says crime risen by 4%

The British Crime Survey suggests that levels of crime in England and Wales rose by 4% in the 12 months to September.

Search continues on Costa Concordia

Rescue teams have resumed their search aboard the Costa Concordia off the coast of Tuscany.

Man charged with B'ham couple murders

A 37-year old man has been charged with the murders of Carole and Avtar Kolar.

Fascinators to be banned at Ascot

The controversial headgear has been banned as the Royal Ascot dress code has been tightened.

UK unemployment increases to 2.685m

Official figures show that unemployment in the UK rose by 118,000 in the three months to November to 2.685 million.

White House shooter charged

A US man has been charged with the attempted assassination of Barack Obama after he fired shots at the White House last November.

Thames Estuary airport plans to be studied

The government is to hold a formal consultation on controversial plans for a new airport in the Thames Estuary.

Unilever begins 11 days of pension strikes

Thousands of workers at Unilever are beginning 11 days of strike action over changes to their pension scheme.

Fake malaria drugs could 'put millions at risk'

Scientists say fake and poor quality anti-malaria drugs could risk millions of lives and hamper efforts to control the disease in Africa.

Wikipedia to shut down English site

Wikipedia is to take its English site offline on Wednesday in protest against proposed anti-piracy laws in the US.

Olympic ticket resale site to re-open

The website where people can sell Olympic tickets is to reopen at 3pm today.

Schoolgirl dies during PE lesson

A 15-year old schoolgirl has died during a school trampoline lesson in Stowmarket.

Murderers lose appeal against life sentences

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Britain’s most dangerous criminals can be kept in prison for the remainder of their lives.

The Artist receives most Bafta nominations

Golden Globe winner The Artist leads 2012’s Baftas with 12 nominations, including best film and best director.

E.On cuts electricity price by 6.0%

E.On, has become the next in a series of energy companies to cut its standard electricity prices.

In pictures: Golden Globes main winners

A collection of photographs from last night's Golden Globe award ceremony.

London’s Mayor now responsible for Met

The Metropolitan Police force’s priorities and performance are now the responsibilities of the Mayor of London, as part of the government’s elected commissioner plans.

Gove suggests new yacht for Jubilee

The Education Secretary, Michael Gove, has suggested that Queen should receive a new royal yacht to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

Cruise ship owners say captain made errors

The company that operates the capsized cruise ship, Costa Concordia, says that captain may have “committed errors”.

The Artist scoops three Golden Globes

Ricky Gervais hosted this year’s Golden Globe awards, in which black and white silent film, The Artist, won three prizes.

Pakistan PM issued contempt order

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued its Prime Minister, Yosuf Raza Gilani, with a contempt order, making his prosecution more likely.

Health Secretary needs action on implants

Andrew Lansley has been called on to put plans into action to help women concerned about PIP breast implants.

British Gas cuts electricity prices

British Gas has announced an immediate 5% cut in its electricity prices.

Tesco 'disappointed' by UK festive trading

Shares in Tesco have dropped 10% after the superstore said it was “disappointed” by its Christmas UK trading.

Bond villains blamed for bad nuclear image

The president of the Royal Society of Chemistry says that the dastardly villains in James Bond films have been blamed for tarnishing the image of nuclear power.

Manhunt on for Birmingham couple murder

A team of over 60 detectives is working to locate the killer of a husband and wife, found dead in their home by their son.

Labour urges government to rethink welfare

The coalition is being urged by Labour to rethink its welfare change plans after a series of defeats in the Lords.

'Noisy neighbour' stabbed to death

A court has heard how woman was stabbed to death by her neighbour during an argument over her music being too loud.

Report urges UK films to be more mainstream

According to a report to be published next week, the British film industry should support more mainstream films.

Virgin Media doubles broadband speed

Virgin Media has said it will double the speed of its broadband for over four million customers.

EDF Energy to cut gas price by 5%

EDF Energy has said it wants to cut its customer’s gas bills by 5% from the 7th of February.

Alex Salmond insists on referendum mandate

The Scottish First Minister has said that Scotland’s government must uphold its mandate to hold a referendum on the country’s independence in the autumn of 2014.

Picasso painting stolen from Athens gallery

A painting donated to the Athens National Gallery by Picasso was stolen yesterday along with two other works of art.

Phase 1 of high-speed rail line to go ahead

A controversial high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham has been allowed to go ahead by the government.

Two kittens born with ‘18 extra toes’

Two kittens have been found with 18 extra toes between them.

Assad blames 'foreign conspiracy' for unrest

The President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, has blamed a foreign conspiracy for trying to destabilise Syria.

Miliband warns Labour of tight budget

The Labour leader, Ed Miliband, will warn his MPs that it must accept there will be fewer funds available to spend if Labour wins the next election.

William and Kate attend War Horse premiere

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined a host of celebrities on the red carpet at the UK premiere of Steven Spielberg’s War Horse.

Sun editors to appear at Leveson inquiry

Past and present editors of The Sun will give evidence to the Leveson inquiry today at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Unemployment linked to immigration rise?

A report has suggested that there could be a link between increased youth unemployment and a rise in migration from Eastern Europe.

‘CIA spy’ receives death sentence in Iran

Local media reports that an American man of Iranian descent has been sentenced to death by a Tehran court for being a CIA spy.

Worrall Thompson cautioned for shoplifting

The television chef has been cautioned by police for shoplifting in a branch of Tesco.

Attorney General to review Lawrence murder sentences

The Attorney General’s Office is to review the minimum terms given to Stephen Lawrence’s killers, following a request from a member of the public.

Saline solution : police make arrest

Police investigating the death of three patients at Stepping Hill Hospital have made an arrest in connection with the contamination of saline solution.

British aid worker kidnapped in Pakistan

Local police have said that a British aid worker has been kidnapped in south-west Pakistan.

MP Diane Abbott in Twitter race row

The Shadow Health Minister, Diane Abbott, is at the centre of a row over controversial comments she made on Twitter about white people.

British scrap industry faces tough regulation

The £5 billion a year scrap industry will face further regulation as the government tries to crack down on metal theft.

Gales cause damage and destruction in UK

Strong winds have been causing disruption across the country as this spate of bad weather continues.

Police warned over journalist relationships

A report has concluded that the “close relationship” between members of Scotland Yard and the media has caused “serious harm”.

John Lewis enjoys Christmas sales

The store has reported an ‘outstanding’ rise in sales across its shops over the Christmas period.

Missing women linked to Sandringham remains

Police are re-examining the cases of two missing Cambridgeshire women as they attempt to identify the human remains found on the Queen’s estate in Norfolk.

In pictures: Scotland's storm

A series of pictures documenting the magnitude of the gale force winds that hit Scotland.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to go on stage

A theatre production of CS Lewis’ classic tale is to open in London this May.

Vinnie Jones heads new CPR campaign

The British Heart Foundation is promoting its ‘Hands-only CPR’ policy with a new advert featuring the footballer-turned-actor.

Killers to be sentenced for Lawrence murder

The two men convicted of murdering black teenager Stephen Lawrence nearly twenty years ago will be sentenced later.

Human remains found on Sandringham Estate

Police have begun an investigation following the discovery of human remains in Norfolk woodland.

Politicians urged to work together for social care

MPs from all political parties have been petitioned to work together to turn around the “failing” social care system in England.

South-West UK battered by wind and rain

Storm-force wind and rain has battered parts of the South-West overnight and is set to continue.

Aretha Franklin engaged at 69

Aretha Franklin has announced her engagement to long-term friend, William “Willie” Wilkerson.

Tuesday 31st January 2012

Monday 30th January 2012

Friday 27th January 2012

Thursday 26th January 2012

Wednesday 25th January 2012

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Friday 20th January 2012

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Wednesday 18th January 2012

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