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Peter Mandelson is to be questioned by MPs, less than three weeks after his surprise return to Government as Business Secretary. He is going before a committee to answer questions over what help there will be for small businesses fighting to stay afloat in the credit crunch. Lord Mandelson is set to be questioned over the future of Royal Mail and if an extension of employment rights for parents will go ahead. He was warned yesterday that delaying the extension of flexible working because of the downturn would send out "the wrong message".
This came after his department announced it was re-examining the various costs and benefits
of the idea. Business groups welcomed the move but unions, opposition politicians and family campaigners attacked the announcement, saying family- friendly polices were vital.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
THE ROYALS
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will arrive in Slovenia today for the of their four-day state visit to central Europe.
FOOD
Nursery schools are serving unhealthy, processed and even potentially dangerous meals, according to a report from organic food campaigners.
THREAT
An area of trees equal to the size of Birmingham has come under threat in the last decade, preservation group the Woodland Trust has said.
DOWNTURN
In another sign that High Street trading is tough, Debenhams has announced a 16.2% fall in pre-tax profits to £110.1m.
Free computers for poor' plan
Details of a government plan to give disadvantaged childre free computers and internet access have been announced. Schools Minister Jim Knight said the programme will beging in February with two year-long pilot schemes in Oldham and Suffolk. Chosen families are to be given grants.
The cash will allow them to buy an "approved home access package", which will include a computer or laptop, basic software and broadband for one year. It is aimed at ensuring that every child will eventually have access to a computer and the internet for their school or college work. The programme will be rolled out nationally next autumn with every five to 19-year-old in England having internet facilities by 2011.
The cash will allow them to buy an "approved home access package", which will include a computer or laptop, basic software and broadband for one year. It is aimed at ensuring that every child will eventually have access to a computer and the internet for their school or college work. The programme will be rolled out nationally next autumn with every five to 19-year-old in England having internet facilities by 2011.
Skeleton find: Father is bailed
The father of the 19-year-old woman whose skeletal remains were found in woodland in a seaside town has been released on bail. Children playing in a wood is Hastings, East Sussex, found a skull last Monday and further human remains were later discovered around the scene.
Medical records were used to identify Victoria Couchman, a single mother who lived with her father, Tony Couchman, about a mile from where her body was found. Mr Couchman, 45, was arrested on suspicion of murder and was last night released on conditional bail.
An initial post-mortem has been completed but the cause of death has not yet been established and more forensic tests are being carried out. Messages of condolence have been left on social networking site Bebo, where Ms Couchman wrote a poignant motto urging people to "live life to the full".
Medical records were used to identify Victoria Couchman, a single mother who lived with her father, Tony Couchman, about a mile from where her body was found. Mr Couchman, 45, was arrested on suspicion of murder and was last night released on conditional bail.
An initial post-mortem has been completed but the cause of death has not yet been established and more forensic tests are being carried out. Messages of condolence have been left on social networking site Bebo, where Ms Couchman wrote a poignant motto urging people to "live life to the full".
Brown failing to impress in poll
Gordon Brown's response to the financial crisis has failed to win over voters despite attracting praise at home and overseas, according to a poll. A Guardian/ICM survey shows six out of 10 are impressed by the PM's actions, but this has not translated into a bounce for the Labour Party.
Only 13% say it makes them more likely to vote Labour, compared with 27% who say less. The majority, 60%, say it makes little difference. This suggests that Mr Brown's bank bailout has not encouraged many opposition supporters to switch their political allegiances.
Only 3% of Tory and 11% of Liberal Democrats voters say they are now more likely to think of choosing Labour. The state of the parties poll puts Labour on 30%, 12 points behind the Conservative Party on 42%, giving the Tories a majority in the Commons at a General Election.
Only 13% say it makes them more likely to vote Labour, compared with 27% who say less. The majority, 60%, say it makes little difference. This suggests that Mr Brown's bank bailout has not encouraged many opposition supporters to switch their political allegiances.
Only 3% of Tory and 11% of Liberal Democrats voters say they are now more likely to think of choosing Labour. The state of the parties poll puts Labour on 30%, 12 points behind the Conservative Party on 42%, giving the Tories a majority in the Commons at a General Election.
Wales robbery death: man held
Police are questioning a 52-year-old man on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and false imprisonment in connection with the death of a man in Pontypool, south Wales One man was killed and another seriously injured during a robbery at a driver recruitment agency's offices.
Two other men at the scene suffered the effects of breathing in smoke after the offices were set on fire. Later police said armed officers dealt with an incident in the Rumney area of Cardiff which was understood to be linked to the death of a man at New Inn in Pontypool.
It was initially reported that the Pontypool incident happened at a driving school, but it was in fact the Driver Line 247 recruitment agency. The agency's offices, on an industrial estate on New Road, in the New Inn area of the town, were sealed off by police, as was a street in Cardiff.
Two other men at the scene suffered the effects of breathing in smoke after the offices were set on fire. Later police said armed officers dealt with an incident in the Rumney area of Cardiff which was understood to be linked to the death of a man at New Inn in Pontypool.
It was initially reported that the Pontypool incident happened at a driving school, but it was in fact the Driver Line 247 recruitment agency. The agency's offices, on an industrial estate on New Road, in the New Inn area of the town, were sealed off by police, as was a street in Cardiff.
Aid workers' security reviewed
Aid agencies in Afghanistan are looking at their security arrangements following the murder of Christian relief worker Gayle Williams. The 34-year-old was shot dead yesterday by two gunmen on a motorcycle as she walked to work in the capital, Kabul. The Taliban claimed responsibility. It said she was targeted for the shooting because she was trying to spread Christianity in the conservative Islamic nation. Ms Williams, who held dual British-South African nationality, was working for UK-based charity Serve Afghanistan, and is the latest Western civilian to be killed. Other charities are warning that the situation is becoming more dangerous and they are looking at workers' safety in light of the murder. However, Dominic O'Reilly, the UK Director of Afghanaid, said: "We will be reviewing our security, but will continue to use female staff."
Teen stabbed to death at club
A 16-year-old boy has died of his injuries after being stabbed outside a crowded youth club in Liverpool, police have confirmed this morning. The teenager and two friends are thought to have been attacked by a group of youths outside the club in the Everton area of the city, last night. The victim, from Old Swan, was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A second boy, aged 17, from Old Swan, was also stabbed but his condition is not believed to be life threatening. There were 50 to 70 teenagers in the venue at the time. Police believe at least some of the young people may know who the attackers are and have appealed for them to reveal what they know. Chief Supt Steve Watson said: "We need that information so we can act immediately and bring those responsible to justice."
Six killed in motorway smashes
A Portuguese lorry driver has been arrested after six people were killed in two car crashes
on the M6 last night. Five of the victims - believ to be two adults and three children - died when their car caught fire after a collision involving another vehicle and three lorries in Cheshire.
In an earlier incident, a sixth man lost his life when the van he was driving hit a bridge. The second accident happened in the tailback caused by that. The 46-year-old lorry driver has been held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is being questioned by police.
The second tragedy happened shortly after 10.30 in the lengthy queues caused by the first incident, which happened about an hour earlier. Inspector Brian Rogers issued an appeal for wtinesses, saying he and his officers needed to find out exactly what happened before, and during, the crash.
on the M6 last night. Five of the victims - believ to be two adults and three children - died when their car caught fire after a collision involving another vehicle and three lorries in Cheshire.
In an earlier incident, a sixth man lost his life when the van he was driving hit a bridge. The second accident happened in the tailback caused by that. The 46-year-old lorry driver has been held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is being questioned by police.
The second tragedy happened shortly after 10.30 in the lengthy queues caused by the first incident, which happened about an hour earlier. Inspector Brian Rogers issued an appeal for wtinesses, saying he and his officers needed to find out exactly what happened before, and during, the crash.
Obama flies to ill grandmother
Barack Obama is leaving the presidential campaign trail for two days to be with his 85-year-old grandmother, who has suddenly become very ill. The health of the Illinois senator's grandmother Madelyn Payne Dunham, who brought him up, is said to have worsened in recent days.
The 47-year-old Democrat will travel to Hawaii to be with her. He leaves the campaign trail just two weeks before next month's election. Mr Obama will attend an event in Indianapolis, Indiana, before making the long flight to Hawaii later today. Other events have been called off.
However, his wife, Michelle, will replace him at two rallies in the battleground state of Ohio on Friday. Mr Obama's spokesman said: "Senator Obama's grandmother has always been one of the most important people in his life, along with his mother and his grandfather."
The 47-year-old Democrat will travel to Hawaii to be with her. He leaves the campaign trail just two weeks before next month's election. Mr Obama will attend an event in Indianapolis, Indiana, before making the long flight to Hawaii later today. Other events have been called off.
However, his wife, Michelle, will replace him at two rallies in the battleground state of Ohio on Friday. Mr Obama's spokesman said: "Senator Obama's grandmother has always been one of the most important people in his life, along with his mother and his grandfather."
Brown failing to impress in poll
Gordon Brown's response to the financial crisis has failed to win over voters despite attracting praise at home and overseas, according to a poll. A Guardian/ICM survey shows six out of 10 are impressed by the PM's actions, but this has not translated into a bounce for the Labour Party. Only 13% say it makes them more likely to vote Labour, compared with 27% who say less. The majority, 60%, say it makes little difference. This suggests that Mr Brown's bank bailout has not encouraged many opposition supporters to switch their political allegiances.
Wales robbery death: man held
Police are questioning a 52- year-old man on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and false imprisonment in connection with the death of a man in Pontypool, south Wales. One man was killed and another seriously injured during a robbery at a driver recruitment agency's offices.
Two other men at the scene suffered the effects of breathing in smoke after the offices were set on fire. Later police said armed officers dealt with an incident in the Rumney area of Cardiff which was understood to be linked to the death of a man at New Inn in Pontypool.
It was initially reported that the Pontypool incident happened at a driving school, but it was in fact the Driver Line 247 recruitment agency. The agency's offices, on an industrial estate on New Road, in the New Inn area of the town, were sealed off by police, as was a street in Cardiff.
Two other men at the scene suffered the effects of breathing in smoke after the offices were set on fire. Later police said armed officers dealt with an incident in the Rumney area of Cardiff which was understood to be linked to the death of a man at New Inn in Pontypool.
It was initially reported that the Pontypool incident happened at a driving school, but it was in fact the Driver Line 247 recruitment agency. The agency's offices, on an industrial estate on New Road, in the New Inn area of the town, were sealed off by police, as was a street in Cardiff.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The greatest burger
A chef has become the first person to completely eat a Pennsylvania restaurant's special 15lb burger - along with 5lb of special toppings.
Buckingham Palace opens it's gardens
Buckingham Palace is to allow tour groups into its gardens for the first time next year at a cost of £20 a head, it has been confirmed.
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