Workers at three rail companies are to stage a 24-hour strike on the day of the Grand National next month.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Southern, Merseyrail and Arriva Trains North will walk out on 8 April, threatening fresh travel misery for hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Many head to the Grand National in Aintree, Liverpool, by train, meaning any disruption to Merseyrail services will hit those going to one of the biggest horse races in the world.
The dispute is over staffing and the role of conductors.
The RMT also said a planned strike on Southern, which is owned by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), on 4 April had been moved to the 8th after the company offered fresh talks if the industrial action was suspended.
General Secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT members on Southern Rail have been fighting for safety and access to rail services for nearly a year now and it is time for the company to get out of the bunker and to start making some progress.
"There is no reason for Southern/GTR to drag their heels and the RMT is prepared to meet on the 4th of April as they have requested.
"We now have plenty of breathing space to get talks under way and we would urge the company to seize the opportunity that our decision today has opened up for both parties and the union would prefer for the talks to happen sooner rather than later."
A Southern spokesman said: "We have received no official confirmation from the RMT and will review our response when we do."
Richard Allan, deputy managing director of Arriva Rail North, said: "We are surprised that RMT has announced strike action for April 8 as we had been in contact with their officials in the last 24 hours to organise further talks.
"We have been clear that we want the RMT, along with our people, our customers and stakeholders, to play a role in bringing our modernisation plans to life.
"We want to work with everyone on how we modernise the way we provide customer service and continue to run a safe and reliable railway."
An increased service often runs on Aintree race days and a special timetable is put in place for the annual three-day Grand National festival.
RMT members at the three firms staged a 24-hour strike last week, with the most disruption on Merseyrail services after drivers refused to cross picket lines.
Talks between the company and the union broke down on Monday, with little sign of any progress in a dispute over plans to introduce new driver-only trains by 2020.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Rotherham sex abuse survivor wants royal pardon for crimes
A victim of a child grooming gang in Rotherham has called for royal pardons for all people who got criminal records while being abused.
Sammy Woodhouse was just 14 years old when she was targeted and during the years of the abuse that followed she went on to commit many crimes.
She told Sky News police treated her like a criminal rather than a victim when she came forward.
"I'm asking for a royal pardon for myself and for all survivors all over the country ... asking for our criminal records to be wiped," Ms Woodhouse said.
"I'm 31 years old and I still have a criminal record from being groomed as a child. I feel like I'm still being blamed.
"I think there's a lot of survivors out there in the country that want to come forward but that are scared, they're scared that they're going to be prosecuted themselves."
Ms Woodhouse said the crimes she committed while an abuse victim could have seen her jailed for more than a full-life sentence.
"When my solicitor looked at all the criminal things I'd done, some of it I'd already been charged with, some of it I hadn't, I could've been looking, if found guilty and caught, at 102 years in prison.
"It's a very daunting thing and it's something that could have prevented me from coming forward. I want other people to come forward and report their abuse ... and this is preventing them from doing that."
Ms Woodhouse said the nature of some of the offences she committed is also limiting her chances of moving on.
"On my record there's assault, possession of dangerous weapons, I was involved in burglaries, drug dealing, a lot of very serious things. A lot of that the police didn't know about until I came forward in 2013 and told them.
"The things that are on my criminal record at the moment actually make me a risk to other people, makes me a danger to them and I think that's really unfair, the fact that I'm still being blamed for my own abuse."
By coming forward she has waived her right to anonymity, but it is something she does not regret.
"I felt up until yesterday when I waived it (anonymity) that I'd been living in the shadows of my abuser, and that he's still been controlling my life.
Six members of the grooming and abuse gang - four men and two women - were found guilty of a host of offences involving the sexual exploitation of girls in Rotherham after a trial in February last year.
Three brothers, Arshid, Basharat and Bannaras Hussain - were charged with more than 70 offences committed over a 16-year period from 1987 but, even after three official reports, the affair is far from over.
The investigation into police misconduct over the scandal has implicated more than 90 current and former South Yorkshire Police officers - with some potentially facing criminal charges.
Sammy Woodhouse was just 14 years old when she was targeted and during the years of the abuse that followed she went on to commit many crimes.
She told Sky News police treated her like a criminal rather than a victim when she came forward.
"I'm asking for a royal pardon for myself and for all survivors all over the country ... asking for our criminal records to be wiped," Ms Woodhouse said.
"I'm 31 years old and I still have a criminal record from being groomed as a child. I feel like I'm still being blamed.
"I think there's a lot of survivors out there in the country that want to come forward but that are scared, they're scared that they're going to be prosecuted themselves."
Ms Woodhouse said the crimes she committed while an abuse victim could have seen her jailed for more than a full-life sentence.
"When my solicitor looked at all the criminal things I'd done, some of it I'd already been charged with, some of it I hadn't, I could've been looking, if found guilty and caught, at 102 years in prison.
"It's a very daunting thing and it's something that could have prevented me from coming forward. I want other people to come forward and report their abuse ... and this is preventing them from doing that."
Ms Woodhouse said the nature of some of the offences she committed is also limiting her chances of moving on.
"On my record there's assault, possession of dangerous weapons, I was involved in burglaries, drug dealing, a lot of very serious things. A lot of that the police didn't know about until I came forward in 2013 and told them.
"The things that are on my criminal record at the moment actually make me a risk to other people, makes me a danger to them and I think that's really unfair, the fact that I'm still being blamed for my own abuse."
By coming forward she has waived her right to anonymity, but it is something she does not regret.
"I felt up until yesterday when I waived it (anonymity) that I'd been living in the shadows of my abuser, and that he's still been controlling my life.
Six members of the grooming and abuse gang - four men and two women - were found guilty of a host of offences involving the sexual exploitation of girls in Rotherham after a trial in February last year.
Three brothers, Arshid, Basharat and Bannaras Hussain - were charged with more than 70 offences committed over a 16-year period from 1987 but, even after three official reports, the affair is far from over.
The investigation into police misconduct over the scandal has implicated more than 90 current and former South Yorkshire Police officers - with some potentially facing criminal charges.
Power Rangers film introduces first LGBT superhero to the big screen
A reboot of 1990s kids' show Power Rangers has made history by introducing cinema's first LGBT superhero.
Despite less than positive reviews, the big screen version of the "mighty morphin" heroes has also been praised for being culturally and ethnically diverse.
It shows Yellow Ranger Trini, played by singer-turned-actress Becky G, having "girlfriend problems", before being tasked with saving the planet.
Despite less than positive reviews, the big screen version of the "mighty morphin" heroes has also been praised for being culturally and ethnically diverse.
It shows Yellow Ranger Trini, played by singer-turned-actress Becky G, having "girlfriend problems", before being tasked with saving the planet.
Electronic devices ban on some UK-bound flights
The Government has banned large electronic devices being carried in cabin luggage on aircraft flying into the UK from six countries.
The ban affects direct inbound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
The devices covered by the ban are laptops, tablets and phones which are larger than a typical smartphone, measuring 16cm by 9.3cm by 1.5cm.
These will now have to be checked into the plane's hold.
For example, an Apple iPhone 7 Plus, the firm's biggest phone, will not be affected by the ban.
The move follows the United States, which has imposed restrictions on flights originating in Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Doha and Istanbul.
The ban was ordered by Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday following a number of meetings on aviation security.
Security sources have told Sky News the move is not a reaction to a specific intelligence threat, rather a response to the ongoing general threat to aviation.
The affected airlines have been told about the order, but Number 10 said it may take a few days to fully implement the security measure.
UK airlines operating direct flights which will be affected are British Airways, easyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson, while overseas airlines impacted are Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air and Saudia.
A Government spokesman said: "The safety and security of the travelling public is our highest priority.
"That is why we keep our aviation security under constant review and put in place measures we believe are necessary, effective and proportionate.
"The additional security measures may cause some disruption for passengers and flights, and we understand the frustration that will cause, but our top priority will always be to maintain the safety of British nationals.
"Decisions to make changes to our aviation security regime are never taken lightly.
"We will not hesitate to act in order to maintain the safety of the travelling public and we will work closely with our international partners to minimise any disruption these new measures may cause."
The UK has been in contact with US authorities over the issue, the PM's spokesman said.
When asked why the US ban differs from that imposed by the UK, he said: "We have each taken our own decisions. Our decisions are for us."
Julian King, the EU's commissioner for security, told Sky News he would contact the UK Government to discuss its ban.
Sky News has contacted the airlines affected by the ban.
British Airways said: "Following an announcement by the UK Government we are advising customers departing from affected airports to arrive in good time at check-in and to refer to ba.com for the latest information.
Our flights continue to operate as normal."
Thomas Cook said: "The new measures mean that laptops, tablets and e-readers will not be allowed in hand luggage and must be placed in the hold.
"This includes duty-free purchases of these devices in the airport. There will be no restrictions on regular-sized mobile phones, including the iPhone 7 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge."
Customers who have queries about a forthcoming holiday are advised to call 01733224536.
The ban affects direct inbound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
The devices covered by the ban are laptops, tablets and phones which are larger than a typical smartphone, measuring 16cm by 9.3cm by 1.5cm.
These will now have to be checked into the plane's hold.
For example, an Apple iPhone 7 Plus, the firm's biggest phone, will not be affected by the ban.
The move follows the United States, which has imposed restrictions on flights originating in Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Doha and Istanbul.
The ban was ordered by Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday following a number of meetings on aviation security.
Security sources have told Sky News the move is not a reaction to a specific intelligence threat, rather a response to the ongoing general threat to aviation.
The affected airlines have been told about the order, but Number 10 said it may take a few days to fully implement the security measure.
UK airlines operating direct flights which will be affected are British Airways, easyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson, while overseas airlines impacted are Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air and Saudia.
A Government spokesman said: "The safety and security of the travelling public is our highest priority.
"That is why we keep our aviation security under constant review and put in place measures we believe are necessary, effective and proportionate.
"The additional security measures may cause some disruption for passengers and flights, and we understand the frustration that will cause, but our top priority will always be to maintain the safety of British nationals.
"Decisions to make changes to our aviation security regime are never taken lightly.
"We will not hesitate to act in order to maintain the safety of the travelling public and we will work closely with our international partners to minimise any disruption these new measures may cause."
The UK has been in contact with US authorities over the issue, the PM's spokesman said.
When asked why the US ban differs from that imposed by the UK, he said: "We have each taken our own decisions. Our decisions are for us."
Julian King, the EU's commissioner for security, told Sky News he would contact the UK Government to discuss its ban.
Sky News has contacted the airlines affected by the ban.
British Airways said: "Following an announcement by the UK Government we are advising customers departing from affected airports to arrive in good time at check-in and to refer to ba.com for the latest information.
Our flights continue to operate as normal."
Thomas Cook said: "The new measures mean that laptops, tablets and e-readers will not be allowed in hand luggage and must be placed in the hold.
"This includes duty-free purchases of these devices in the airport. There will be no restrictions on regular-sized mobile phones, including the iPhone 7 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge."
Customers who have queries about a forthcoming holiday are advised to call 01733224536.
US-bound flights to ban most electronic devices
US-bound passengers travelling from about a dozen countries will be banned from carrying most electronic devices, officials have said.
Twelve carriers flying from about a dozen countries will be affected by the new rules, which could be announced later.
Some Middle Eastern airlines are affected, including airlines based in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, although the other countries were not named.
American carriers will not be affected.
Passengers will still be allowed to keep mobile phones and approved medical devices with them but anything larger, such as laptops, cameras and tablets, will only be permitted in checked luggage.
The ban has been under consideration since the US government learned of a terrorism threat several weeks ago.
Earlier on Monday, Royal Jordanian Airlines told its passengers that laptops, iPads, cameras and other electronics would not be allowed in carry-on luggage for US-bound flights from Tuesday.
In a tweet that now appears to have been deleted, the airline said mobile phones and medical devices were excluded from the ban but all other electronics had to be in checked luggage.
The airline tweeted on Monday evening that "further updates will be announced soon".
Al Riyadh, a newspaper close to the Saudi government, quoted a civil aviation authority source as saying that the measures were relayed from senior US officials to the Saudi interior ministry.
The White House would not comment and a US Department of Homeland Security spokesman said they had "no comment on potential security precautions, but will provide an update when appropriate".
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told congressional lawmakers about the plan during the weekend, according to aides.
Twelve carriers flying from about a dozen countries will be affected by the new rules, which could be announced later.
Some Middle Eastern airlines are affected, including airlines based in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, although the other countries were not named.
American carriers will not be affected.
Passengers will still be allowed to keep mobile phones and approved medical devices with them but anything larger, such as laptops, cameras and tablets, will only be permitted in checked luggage.
The ban has been under consideration since the US government learned of a terrorism threat several weeks ago.
Earlier on Monday, Royal Jordanian Airlines told its passengers that laptops, iPads, cameras and other electronics would not be allowed in carry-on luggage for US-bound flights from Tuesday.
In a tweet that now appears to have been deleted, the airline said mobile phones and medical devices were excluded from the ban but all other electronics had to be in checked luggage.
The airline tweeted on Monday evening that "further updates will be announced soon".
Al Riyadh, a newspaper close to the Saudi government, quoted a civil aviation authority source as saying that the measures were relayed from senior US officials to the Saudi interior ministry.
The White House would not comment and a US Department of Homeland Security spokesman said they had "no comment on potential security precautions, but will provide an update when appropriate".
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told congressional lawmakers about the plan during the weekend, according to aides.
Google boss apology as more firms suspend ads over hate videos
The European boss of Google has apologised for online adverts appearing next to extremist material as big firms, including M&S, pull ads from the internet giant.
Matt Brittin, head of the company for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: "We are sorry to anybody that's been affected."
He made the comments at an industry conference after a number of well-known UK brands suspended advertising over concerns centred on content appearing on Google's YouTube platform.
M&S said: "In order to ensure brand safety, we are pausing activity across Google platforms whilst the matter is worked through."
Go Ape - the outdoors adventure firm - said it had suspended its advertising on YouTube after Sky News Business Correspondent Adam Parsons alerted the company to its ads being run alongside English Defence League videos.
The investment firm, Hargreaves Lansdown, also pulled its ads for the same reason.
Even the Government has done the same while global advertising giant Havas, which buys ad space for a number of big companies, suspended advertising last week.
:: What the firms are saying
Other big names to take similar action include McDonald's UK, Tesco and Sainsbury's, Audi UK, and L'Oreal in the UK and Ireland, plus high street banks Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and Lloyds.
Meanwhile, some businesses, including Barclays, are considering what to do - though Barclays does not currently have any advertising on YouTube or Google.
Sky, the owner of Sky News, said: "It is clearly unacceptable for ads to be appearing alongside inappropriate content and we are talking with Google to understand what they are doing to stop this."
Mr Brittin said Google already spent millions of dollars and employed thousands of people to try to ensure "bad advertising doesn't get through" and that this worked well "in the vast majority of cases".
But he acknowledged it could improve and said a review which had been going on "for some time" was being accelerated.
He said Google was looking at better defining hate speech and inflammatory content, simplifying controls available to advertisers, and going further and faster in its efforts to remove "bad content" - in the context of 400 hours of content being uploaded to YouTube every minute.
Last week, media-buying agency GroupM, part of the world's largest ad agency WPP, told Google to apologise to customers and advertisers who saw inappropriate content on YouTube.
It has also written to clients explaining the potential risks to their brands and asking them how they want to respond.
MPs recently said Google was "still profiting from hatred" after it failed to remove videos from groups allegedly linked to terrorism.
Google was summoned to appear in front of Cabinet Office ministers on Friday.
Sky News understands the company apologised to senior civil servants representing the Government and pledged a review of their advertising systems.
Google was asked to return for another meeting this week to set out the action they plan to take.
Yvette Cooper MP, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, has said Google's failure to remove the hate videos by was "frankly astonishing"
Last week the committee summoned bosses from Google, Facebook and Twitter, to question them about the action the web giants were taking to remove hate speech from their platforms.
Matt Brittin, head of the company for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: "We are sorry to anybody that's been affected."
He made the comments at an industry conference after a number of well-known UK brands suspended advertising over concerns centred on content appearing on Google's YouTube platform.
M&S said: "In order to ensure brand safety, we are pausing activity across Google platforms whilst the matter is worked through."
Go Ape - the outdoors adventure firm - said it had suspended its advertising on YouTube after Sky News Business Correspondent Adam Parsons alerted the company to its ads being run alongside English Defence League videos.
The investment firm, Hargreaves Lansdown, also pulled its ads for the same reason.
Even the Government has done the same while global advertising giant Havas, which buys ad space for a number of big companies, suspended advertising last week.
:: What the firms are saying
Other big names to take similar action include McDonald's UK, Tesco and Sainsbury's, Audi UK, and L'Oreal in the UK and Ireland, plus high street banks Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and Lloyds.
Meanwhile, some businesses, including Barclays, are considering what to do - though Barclays does not currently have any advertising on YouTube or Google.
Sky, the owner of Sky News, said: "It is clearly unacceptable for ads to be appearing alongside inappropriate content and we are talking with Google to understand what they are doing to stop this."
Mr Brittin said Google already spent millions of dollars and employed thousands of people to try to ensure "bad advertising doesn't get through" and that this worked well "in the vast majority of cases".
But he acknowledged it could improve and said a review which had been going on "for some time" was being accelerated.
He said Google was looking at better defining hate speech and inflammatory content, simplifying controls available to advertisers, and going further and faster in its efforts to remove "bad content" - in the context of 400 hours of content being uploaded to YouTube every minute.
Last week, media-buying agency GroupM, part of the world's largest ad agency WPP, told Google to apologise to customers and advertisers who saw inappropriate content on YouTube.
It has also written to clients explaining the potential risks to their brands and asking them how they want to respond.
MPs recently said Google was "still profiting from hatred" after it failed to remove videos from groups allegedly linked to terrorism.
Google was summoned to appear in front of Cabinet Office ministers on Friday.
Sky News understands the company apologised to senior civil servants representing the Government and pledged a review of their advertising systems.
Google was asked to return for another meeting this week to set out the action they plan to take.
Yvette Cooper MP, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, has said Google's failure to remove the hate videos by was "frankly astonishing"
Last week the committee summoned bosses from Google, Facebook and Twitter, to question them about the action the web giants were taking to remove hate speech from their platforms.
Monday, March 20, 2017
James Bond-style USB cufflink used by Islamic State terrorist
An Islamic State member who used a James Bond-style USB cufflink to store extremist data has admitted five charges of terrorism.
Samata Ullah pleaded guilty to being a member of the terror group as well as preparing terrorist acts, terrorist training, and possessing articles for terrorist purposes.
He denied one charge of directing terrorism at the Old Bailey in London.
The court heard that when he was arrested in September last year, the 34-year-old from Cardiff had a USB cufflink with a Linux operating system hiding extremist data, including a blog.
Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, said a hi-tech report showed Mr Ullah was trying to post the blog onto a platform in a "format that meant it could not be closed down or deleted by the authorities."
Jurors were told that between December 2015 and his arrest, he had provided instructional videos on how to secure sensitive data and use encryption software to stay anonymous online.
Commander Dean Haydon of Met Office Counter Terrorism said Ullah was "dangerous" despite operating in the "virtual world".
"He sat in his bedroom in Wales and created online content with the sole intention of aiding people who wanted to actively support ISIS and avoid getting caught by the authorities," he said.
"This is just the sort of information that may have helped people involved in planning devastating, low technical level attacks on crowded places as we have seen in other cities across the world.
Ullah, who has been diagnosed with autism since his arrest, also pleaded guilty to having a book entitled 'Guided Missiles Fundamentals AFM 52-31' and a PDF version of the book 'Advances In Missile Guidance, Control, and Estimation' for terrorist purposes.
He admitted the charges earlier this month but his pleas could not be reported until after the prosecution had decided whether to go to trial on the remaining charge.
Mr Altman explained that the attorney general had accepted the pleas but asked for the remaining charge of directing terrorism to lie on file.
In lifting reporting restrictions, Judge Gerald Gordon said the "issue of dangerousness" would have to be assessed before sentencing, which will take place on 28 April.
Samata Ullah pleaded guilty to being a member of the terror group as well as preparing terrorist acts, terrorist training, and possessing articles for terrorist purposes.
He denied one charge of directing terrorism at the Old Bailey in London.
The court heard that when he was arrested in September last year, the 34-year-old from Cardiff had a USB cufflink with a Linux operating system hiding extremist data, including a blog.
Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, said a hi-tech report showed Mr Ullah was trying to post the blog onto a platform in a "format that meant it could not be closed down or deleted by the authorities."
Jurors were told that between December 2015 and his arrest, he had provided instructional videos on how to secure sensitive data and use encryption software to stay anonymous online.
Commander Dean Haydon of Met Office Counter Terrorism said Ullah was "dangerous" despite operating in the "virtual world".
"He sat in his bedroom in Wales and created online content with the sole intention of aiding people who wanted to actively support ISIS and avoid getting caught by the authorities," he said.
"This is just the sort of information that may have helped people involved in planning devastating, low technical level attacks on crowded places as we have seen in other cities across the world.
Ullah, who has been diagnosed with autism since his arrest, also pleaded guilty to having a book entitled 'Guided Missiles Fundamentals AFM 52-31' and a PDF version of the book 'Advances In Missile Guidance, Control, and Estimation' for terrorist purposes.
He admitted the charges earlier this month but his pleas could not be reported until after the prosecution had decided whether to go to trial on the remaining charge.
Mr Altman explained that the attorney general had accepted the pleas but asked for the remaining charge of directing terrorism to lie on file.
In lifting reporting restrictions, Judge Gerald Gordon said the "issue of dangerousness" would have to be assessed before sentencing, which will take place on 28 April.
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