News archive for February 2012

Wednesday 29th February 2012

Davy Jones: 1945-2012

Former Monkees singer and actor Davy Jones has died aged 66.

London Olympics Threatened By Strike

Workers’ union UNITE have suggested that industrial action could take place in an attempt to disrupt this year’s Olympics.

“Compassion” In Elderly Care Called For

Experts from the Commission on Improving Dignity in Care for Older People have called for staff looking after the elderly to be compassionate as well as clever.

Mitt Romney In Key Presidential Primary Wins

US Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney last night won two key primary wins in Arizona and Michigan.

Tuesday 28th February 2012

Foreigners Offered Free HIV Treatment

Foreign nationals suffering from HIV and AIDS will be offered free treatment for it on the NHS.

Tow Boat Arrives At Stricken Cruise Ship

A Costa cruise ship, the Allegra, drifting in the Indian Ocean after a power failure is to be pulled to land by a tug boat.

Occupy London Protesters Evicted

Police and bailiffs moved into St Paul’s Cathedral just after midnight this morning to evict Occupy London protesters from the site.

Monday 27th February 2012

Nine Killed In Afghan Blast

A Taliban suicide car bomber has killed at least nine people, in an airport attack in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

Lib Dem Lords Call For NHS Reforms Rewrite

Liberal Democrat peers in the House Of Lords have revealed that they are attempting to rewrite the government’s controversial health care reforms.

The Artist And Hugo Sweep The Board At The Oscars

Silent film The Artist and Martin Scorsese’s 3D effort Hugo were the big winners at last night’s 84th Academy Awards.

Friday 24th February 2012

Tunisia Holding Conference For Peace In Syria

The United States—as well as countries from Europe and the Arab region—will be meeting in Tunisian capital Tunis to discuss how to stop violence in Syria.

Falkirk MP Charged With Assualt

Labour MP for Falkirk Eric Joyce has been charged with assault, for his part in a brawl at a Commons bar on Wednesday night.

Lloyds Record Loss Of £3.5bn

Lloyds banking group made a heavy loss of £3.5bn in 2011, according to official figures out today.

Thursday 23rd February 2012

Fifty Dead In Iraq Attacks

Bombings and shootings across Iraq have killed at least 50 people according to police there.

Claims Of Gender-Based Abortions Investigated

The Department of Health are to investigate claims by The Daily Telegraph that women are being granted abortions, based on the gender of their unborn baby.

Northern Irish Comic Frank Carson Dies

Legendary stand up comedian Frank Carson, famed for his catchphrases “It’s the way I tell ‘em” and “it’s a cracker”, has died aged 85.

Wednesday 22nd February 2012

Occupy London Appeal Bid Thrown Out

The Court of Appeal has refused protesters who camped outside St Paul’s Cathedral the right to appeal against their eviction.

GPs To Offer “Health Apps”

The Department of Health has revealed plans for GPs to give patients “health apps” for their smart phones.

Two Western Journalists “Killed In Syria”

Unconfirmed reports from the city of Homs in Syria are suggesting two journalists have been killed.

Tuesday 21st February 2012

Sacked Baby P Workers To Appeal

Two social workers who lost their jobs following the Baby P scandal are set to appeal for unfair dismissal.

Clegg Announces New Unemployment Scheme

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has unveiled plans to get 55,000 teenagers in the UK with poor qualifications into work.

Eurozone Agree Second Bailout For Greece

After a long night of negotiation, finance ministers in the Eurozone have agreed a fresh €130bn bailout.

Monday 20th February 2012

Cameron Hosts NHS Discussions

The Prime Minister will be holding a meeting today to debate the government’s proposed NHS shake ups.

Lloyds Reclaim Bonuses

Ten executives at Lloyds Banking Group are having £2m worth of bonuses taken back, for their part in the mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI).

Tributes To British Teacher Killed In France Coach Crash

A 59-year-old teacher has been killed, and ten injured, in a coach crash in France.

Friday 17th February 2012

Murdoch Arrives In UK For Sun Crisis

Australian newspaper magnate Rupert Murdoch has visited the UK, to deal with the arrests of his current and former staff.

Dates For Heathrow Strike Announced

After revealing plans for a strike earlier in the month, The Rail Maritime and Transport union have announced the dates for action at Heathrow Airport.

Concern Over Non-Emergency NHS Number

The British Medical Association has shared its worries over the speed at which a non-emergency NHS helpline is being rolled out across the UK.

Thursday 16th February 2012

Students Loans Penalty Scheme Abandoned

Plans to penalise students who pay back their university loans early are expected to be dropped by MPs.

Slow Walking Speed In Dementia Link

Researchers in the U.S. have presented new research suggesting that a slow walking speed could predict the development of dementia.

David Cameron Talks Down Scottish Independence

Prime Minister David Cameron is today giving a speech in Edinburgh, where he will be promoting continued unity between England and Scotland.

Wednesday 15th February 2012

MPs To Visit Falklands Amid Growing Tensions

Various members of the Defence Select Committee will be visiting the Falkland Islands, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of war with Argentina there.

Ryanair Ads Declared “Sexist”

A Ryanair newspaper advert has been banned, after the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) declared it sexist.

New Fight Against Binge Drinking

Prime Minister David Cameron will today promise to solve the “scandal” of alcohol abuse, suggesting an American style “drunk tank” system as a possible solution.

Tuesday 14th February 2012

Stem Cells Heal Heart Attack Scars

The Lancet Medical Journal in the States has reported the healing of scar tissue following a heart attack, using patients’ own stem cells.

Baroness Warsi: Religion Under Threat From “Secular Militarisation”

Muslim peer Baroness Warsi has written in The Telegraph today that religion has been “sidelined, marginalised and downgraded” through Europe.

UK Credit Rating Under Threat

The Eurozone crisis has had a negative impact on the UK’s outlook for financial growth- that’s the view of Moody’s rating agency.

Monday 13th February 2012

Debate On Organ Donation Called For

Despite a sharp rise in organ donations in recent years, the British Medical Association has called for fresh debate on the subject.

Violence Greets Greek Austerity Bill Pass

Tens of thousands were on the streets of Athens last night, as the Greek people reacted violently to their Parliament passing heavy austerity measures.

The Artist Big Winner At 2012 BAFTAS

Acclaimed silent movie The Artist swept the board at last night’s BAFTAS, winning seven prizes including Best Actor for Jean Dujardin, Best Director and the coveted Best Film award.

Friday 10th February 2012

Greek Loan Conditions Get Even Tougher

Greece is required to find a further 325m Euro in budget cuts, before a much-needed loan from the Eurozone will be passed.

NHS Shake-Up “Bomb” For Tory Election Prospects

An editorial blog on grassroots Tory website ConservativeHome has called the party’s NHS reforms an “unexploded bomb” sitting under election prospects.

Barclays Bank Report Profit Drop

Barclays, the first of the major UK banks to reveal its profits, has recorded a loss in profits of 3%.

Thursday 9th February 2012

Arrest Warrant Issued For Maldives President

A court in The Maldives has issued a warrant for the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed, who resigned from the post on Tuesday.

2,000 GB Tax Evaders Found In Lichtenstein

HM Revenue & Customs have made a deal with the tax haven of Lichtenstein, to help seek out British tax evaders.

New High For Children Placed In Care

Figures out today have shown that more children than even before were taken into care last month.

Wednesday 8th February 2012

UK Government Facing “Difficult Decisions” Over Military

MPs on the Defence Committee have warned that military manoeuvres like the attack on Libya could be a one off after defence cuts.

Chancellor “Fighting Anti-Business Culture”

Chancellor George Osborne has dismissed claims that the clampdown on bonuses is sending out an anti-business message, saying the row could be damaging to jobs.

Argentina Make UK Complaint To UN

Argentinean President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner has announced plans to make an official complaint to the UN about the UK’s “militarization” of the Falkland Isles.

Tuesday 7th February 2012

Supreme Court Challenge For Social Care

A severely disabled man is today being heard by the Supreme Court, as he appeals the amount of money being paid for his social care.

Some Students “Skipping Meals” After EMA Scrap

The replacement for the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is failing young students, a report by charity Barnardo’s has suggested.

Charles Dickens Celebrates Bicentenary

Prince Charles is today leading celebrations of one of our greatest novelists, journalists and social campaigners- Charles Dickens.

Monday 6th February 2012

Anglicans March In Support Of Women Bishops

Church of England women will be rallying in Westminster later today, supporting a bill accepting women bishops.

The Queen Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Today marks sixty years since the death of King George VI, and Princess Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne.

Syrian Army Increasing Bombing

The Syrian army has increased its assault on the city of Homs, the focal point for the country’s protests.

Friday 3rd February 2012

Huhne Quits Over Charges

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has resigned after learning that he will be charged in February with perverting the course of justice

Huhne to Face Charges over Speeding Points

The MP for Eastleigh, Hampshire, is alleged to have persuaded his wife to take speeding penalty points on his behalf

Prince William Arrives In The Falklands

The Duke of Cambridge has landed in The Falklands to begin working as a search and rescue pilot.

England And Scotland Set For Severe Weather Over Weekend

The Met Office has issued a Level 3 cold weather warning for England and Scotland, as Britain’s cold snap is set to continue over the weekend.

GPs Call For NHS Shake Up Scrap

The Royal College of GPs have called for proposed changes to the NHS in 2013 to be scrapped.

Thursday 2nd February 2012

Chris Evans’ Radio 2 Figures Remain Steady

BBC radio listening figures have been released, and it’s good news for Breakfast stars.

Prostate Cancer Drug Provisionally Rejected By NHS

Health watchdog NICE have declared a drug that can extend the lives of men with prostate cancer “too costly” to be used on the NHS.

High Death Toll After Egyptian Football Clashes

Seventy-four football fans in Egypt have died, after violence broke out at a game last night. Hundreds more have been left injured.