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Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Man Fights Off Circling Crocodiles With Spanners

A 72-year-old man threw spanners and spark plugs to fight off circling crocodiles after his friend drowned when one of the reptiles capsized their boat.
The holidaymakers from Victoria were attempting to retrieve crab pots on Tuesday in a northern Australian creek near Darwin when a crocodile tipped over their 10-foot-long boat.
The fishermen tried to get back on board but it flipped again, trapping one of them underneath and drowning him.
The other managed to clamber on top of the boat and desperately tried to keep the reptiles away.
"He was using spanners and spark plugs to hold them at bay," said Ian Badham, director of CareFlight, an Australian aeromedical charity which flew him to a Darwin hospital.
He told rescuers he got stuck in waist-deep mud as he tried to pull the boat to shore.
He managed to drag the boat to nearby mangroves where he took refuge before fellow crabbers heard his cries for help.
The dead man's body was retrieved and the survivor was found suffering from severe dehydration and exposure, Mr Badham told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Crocodiles are common in the country's tropical north and on average two people each year are killed by them.
Last month, a 19-year-old on a family camping trip had a lucky escape after he was dragged out of his tent by a crocodilewhich bit into his foot as he slept.
In January, a woman walking her dogs had her arm bitten off by a crocodile in a "death roll".

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

When's A Policy Not A Policy? Govt U-Turns


The Queen's speech today will set out the Government's programme of legislation for this year. But critics say they haven't accomplished much from their last one.
Political Correspondent Tamara Cohen looks at the few of the major policy U-turns from the past year, and how damaging they have been.
:: Tax credits
The Conservatives promised during the election campaign to slash a massive £12bn from the welfare budget, but without spelling out where the axe would fall.
In George Osborne's emergency Budget last July, he announced he had found £4.4bn of this from tax credits, which subsidise the income of the lowest-paid.
The Chancellor said he was making the system more "affordable," but many Tory backbenchers were nervous and the plans were embarrassingly defeated in the House of Lords.
His own colleagues said the move was punishing those going out to work and doing the right thing 
Result: by November the Chancellor had "listened" and made a total climbdown.
Damage rating: 7/10
:: Disability benefit:
Without the windfall from tax credits, ministers were on the hunt for more welfare cuts and took the axe to the personal independence payment (PIP) - a benefit for the severely disabled.
Officials were concerned about how quickly the bill for this weekly benefit was rising. But those affected included 640,000 people who need help dressing and using the bathroom.
It also jarred with the offer of middle-class tax breaks in the same Budget, and in the storm which followed Welfare Secretary Iain Duncan Smith dramatically resigned saying the cuts were "indefensible".
Five days later, new work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb torpedoed the plan, warning: "Behind every statistic is a human being and perhaps sometimes in government we forget that." Ouch.
Damage rating: 9/10
:: Trade union crackdown
After an expected victory at the General Election, how better to keep the Thatcherite flame ablaze than with a crackdown on trade unions which organised public sector walkouts under the Coalition.
Thresholds for strike action were to rise. Labour party members could no longer be automatically enrolled in unions and there was talk of a ban on mentioning strikes on Twitter and workers on picket line having to wear armbands.
What happened? The EU referendum campaign and ministers needing to get Labour supporters and trade union members to turn out and vote to stay in the European Union.
Armbands and Twitter bans were dropped, the funding changes were watered down. The Tory Right was unimpressed.
Damage rating: 2/10
refugees
David Cameron vowed Britain would fulfil its "moral responsibility" last September by taking in 20,000 vulnerable refugees from the camps around Syria to start new lives in Britain.
But the charity Save the Children had wanted the Government to aid some 3,000 unaccompanied children who had travelled to Europe already and were living in squalid conditions in Greece and Calais.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats backed the call, but ministers stood firm insisting it would only provide a "pull factor" for people to make dangerous journeys by sea.
That was until Labour peer Alf Dubs got involved - an 84-year-old rescued from the Nazis on the Kindertransport who said the 3,000 must be let in.
As it became clear Tory backbenchers were wavering, David Cameron accepted defeat, although would not commit to a specific number.
Damage rating: 3/10
:: Forced academisation
The Conservative party manifesto talked about "turning every failing and coasting school into an academy" - run directly from Whitehall, rather than by local councils.
Then in his March 2016 Budget the Chancellor announced every single school would have to become an academy by 2022 "to give headteachers more control over budgets and the curriculum".
A fierce backlash ensued, as former minister Tim Loughton said he thought Conservatives believed in choice, others worried small rural schools would be forced to close and MPs asked why something not broken needed fixing.
As Labour took the heat for poor local election results, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan announced a U-turn. The bill will be in the Queen’s Speech but with a series of concessions.
Damage rating: 5/10
:: Fox hunting
The Conservatives opposed the ban on fox hunting imposed by Tony Blair's government, and in a boost to their rural supporters, promised MPs would have a free vote.
They knew Labour MPs would vote against it, but didn’t bank on the Scottish Nationalists - who have already banned fox hunting in Scotland – voting against the measure applying in England.
With a slim majority of 12, it appeared the Conservative party had changed over the past decade with 50 Tory MPs also opposed. Having misread the mood, it was one of the first U-turns in July last year.
Damage rating: 4/10


The lead Typhoon pilot said: “The Baltic Control and Reporting Centre had radar contact on the unidentified aircraft and ordered us to scramble. "As always we were airborne in minutes and intercepted and identified the variety of Russian military aircraft. "We remain on standby all day, every day to respond to any requests of this nature, this is what we do.” Four RAF jets were deployed last month to join the Baltic Air Policing mission, where NATO members help countries who are not able to police their own skies. They will stay there until the end of August.


RAF Typhoon fighter jets have intercepted five Russian aircraft north of Estonia as part of a NATO protection mission.
The British planes were initially shadowing two Su-27 Flanker fighters and an IL-20 'Coot-A' Reconnaissance plane when two more Su-27s were detected, according to the Ministry of Defence.
In the latest intercept, an MoD statement said the Russian planes were operating without transmitting recognised identification codes and were not communicating with regional air traffic control centres.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "For the second time in a week, the RAF have been on hand to respond to Russian activity at a moment’s notice.
24 hours a day, seven days a week, we will continue to secure the Baltic skies on behalf 

The lead Typhoon pilot said: “The Baltic Control and Reporting Centre had radar contact on the unidentified aircraft and ordered us to scramble.
"As always we were airborne in minutes and intercepted and identified the variety of Russian military aircraft.
"We remain on standby all day, every day to respond to any requests of this nature, this is what we do.”
Four RAF jets were deployed last month to join the Baltic Air Policing mission, where NATO members help countries who are not able to police their own skies.
They will stay there until the end of August.

Police Federation Concedes Hillsborough 'Errors'

The Police Federation held a minute's silence for the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy at its annual conference before acknowledging "errors" were made in how officers reacted.
Inquests into the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans during an FA Cup semi-final found the actions of the police and ambulance service had "caused or contributed" to Britain's worst sporting disaster.
It also ruled that the behaviour of fans was not a factor in the tragedy, in which supporters were crushed before the game against Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989.
The Police Federation has previously seemed reluctant to apologise for what happened, arguing that those on duty "did their best".
But chairman Steve White said on Tuesday it was now time to "draw a line" and move on.
"Sadly, like every organisation, errors are made - nowhere more so than at Hillsborough 27 years ago," he told the Federation's conference.
"The tragic events of that day left 96 families mourning for their loved ones, and others - fans, stewards, and emergency service workers - traumatised by their desperate attempts to help and save lives.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the families and friends of the 96 people who lost their lives."
Home Secretary Theresa May said the tragedy should serve as a reminder to police of the need for change.
Speaking at the conference, she said: "Let's not forget when we look at Hillsborough, the principle obstacle to the pursuit of justice has not been the passage of time.
"The problem has been due process was obstructed, and the police - the custodians of justice - failed to put justice firs
"We must not let the lessons of Hillsborough and other past injustices go unheeded, and we must not be afraid to face up to the challenges of today."
She told delegates that the tragedy should serve as a "touchstone" for how police respond to future events.
After leading the conference in a minute's silence, Steve White added that it was "unfair" to hold the officers of today responsible for what happened at Hillsborough.
"It is right that we are held to account - whether that's policing a football match, policing a picket line in a long-running dispute, policing a demonstration, or policing a riot.
"But we must draw a line.
"And we must also draw a distinction between the actions of a minority of senior officers decades ago, and the behaviours of the majority of our members today."
After the inquests' findings were handed down last month, the chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, David Crompton, was suspended from duty.
Dismissal proceedings have now commenced, with the force set to decide whether to call for Mr Crompton to retire or resign.
Dr Alan Billings, the area's police and crime commissioner, said it was the only course open to him given the "erosion of public trust and confidence".

Predator Posed As Blogger Zoella To Groom Girls

An online predator who pretended to be beauty and fashion blogger Zoe Sugg, known as Zoella, has been jailed for eight years for grooming children.

David Harmes, 20, lured young girls into performing sex acts by posing as well-known names he thought would appeal to them.

He claimed to be YouTube star Zoella as well as a member of boy band Bars And Melody and a modelling agent.

Harmes, from Regent Street, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire would contact victims across the UK by Skype using the false identities and coerce them into sex acts.

DC Simon Ledger of Cheshire Police, said: "Harmes duped young girls into thinking they were talking to people they looked up to and in some cases posed as a modelling agency representative so that he could manipulate them for his own pleasure.

"It is a timely reminder that while the internet is an amazing tool, it has a darker side which we need to be mindful of and shows just how imperative it is that parents are aware of the sites their children are accessing and who they are communicating with.

"People like Harmes have no qualms with using the internet to their own perverse means."

Harmes admitted 35 offences against 28 victims, aged eight to 18, and also asked for a further four offences to be taken into consideration.

The offences include causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and making and distributing indecent photographs of a child.

He did not meet up with any of the victims.

Harmes was jailed for eight years at Chester Crown Court on Monday and ordered to serve five years behind bars and three years out on licence.

Zoella, 26, is hugely influential on social media and her main YouTube channel has 10 million subscribers. She has also released two books and appeared on television.

Advice on internet safety and security, including social networking and chatrooms is available at www.getsafeonline.org.


Brexit Will Make Islamic State Happy, Says PM

David Cameron has said the leader of Islamic State would be happy if the UK voted for Brexit.
So, according to the Prime Minister, would Vladimir Putin.
Making his case for Britain to remain at the World Economic Forum, Mr Cameron listed a number of reasons why the country was not diminished by working with European counterparts.
Then added: "It's worth asking the question: who would be happy if we left?
ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi filmed in Mosul
"Putin might be happy. I suspect al Baghdadi might be happy.
"Our friends around the world are giving us a very clear message, they are saying 'it's all up to you, it is your sovereign choice'.
"But our friends in Australia and New Zealand and America and all around the world and all round Europe, they are saying 'it's all up to you, its all your choice, but we would like you to stay, we think it's good for us and it's good for you'."
Boris Johnson said that it was a "bit much" to suggest that Abu Bakr al Baghdadi was an ally of Brexiteers.
He said: "One might argue it’s a bit much to start comparing people arguing for freedom in this country or the restoration of democracy in this country to say our allies are Putin and Daesh.
"I think that’s a bit much really."
Johnson himself has been under fire for suggesting that the EU was trying to create a single European state like the Nazis in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph.
Donald Tusk, president of the European Council said: "Boris Johnson crossed the boundaries of a rational discourse, demonstrating political amnesia."
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Johnson hit out at Mr Cameron over the disclosure of a leaked letter between the chief executive of Serco, the outsourcing firm which has multibillion-pound contracts with the Government, and the Prime Minister on mobilising the pro-EU business voice ahead of the referendum.
The former London mayor described it as the "biggest stitch-up since the Bayeux Tapestry".

Iran Cracks Down On 'Un-Islamic' Modelling

Iran has arrested eight people, including a leading model, for what it calls "un-Islamic" acts online such as posting photos of themselves without their hair covered.
According to state media, the crackdown is part of an operation code-named Spider II, and is particularly aimed at those who share images of themselves on Instagram and other social media sites.
A television report included footage of Iranian model Elham Arab speaking before Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi in a conference room.
Arab, who is well-known for modelling wedding dresses and posting pictures of herself without a headscarf, said: "All people love beauty and fame.
"They would like to be seen, but it is important to know what price they will pay to be seen."
The report did not say what charges she faced, nor did it identify the other seven people arrested but they are among 170 people police are investigating.
It is believed most of them work mainly in the fashion industry and include makeup artists, photographers and designers, many of whom have had their businesses shut down as a result.
model arrested for not wearing hijab
Mr Dowlatabadi has been quoted by the state-owned Iran newspaper as saying  "we must fight with enemy's actions in this area, of course our actions in this area will continue".
The arrests are said to show that hard-liners in the police and judiciary still hold significant power in the country despite President Hassan Rouhani having a reputation as a moderate.
In recent years, Iranian women, especially in the capital Tehran, have worn the mandatory scarf loosely on their heads, which has angered conservatives.
Tehran's police chief General Hossein Sajedinia announced in April that 7,000 male and female officers would go undercover to enforce the government-mandated Islamic dress code.
The crackdown on the fashion industry is part of a broader emphasis to control online expression in the county.
model arrested for not wearing hijab
Nearly 40% of Iran's 80 million people can access the internet, although the American-based watchdog Freedom House describes web access as "not free" due to censorship and filtering.
In May 2014, authorities arrested a group of young Iranian men and women for an online video of them dancing to Pharrell Williams' song Happy.
Even though the arrests drew widespread criticism, including from the musician himself, those involved were each given suspended sentences of six months' in prison and 91 lashes.
Journalists, filmmakers, writers and activists have also been detained, sentenced or imprisoned.
Photo-sharing site Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, has not yet commented.