Children As Young As One Targeted By Paedophiles

Children as young as one year old have fallen victim to online paedophiles, according to the NSPCC.

There were 3,186 internet-related sex crimes against children recorded by 38 police forces in England and Wales in 2015/16, according to the charity's report.

The offences included sexual assaults, grooming victims and inciting children to take part in sexual acts.

Where a victim's age was provided by police, most were 13 years old but 272 were under the age of 10 and the youngest was just one year old.

Chief executive of the NSPCC Peter Wanless said the figures "confirm our fears that the online world is playing a significant role in the sexual abuse of children in the UK".

He added: "It's clear that a large volume of sexual assaults and rapes of children have involved the use of the internet - for example by grooming victims before abusing them offline, or live-streaming the abuse.

"We know grooming is on the rise because children are increasingly telling our ChildLine service how they are being targeted online.

"Predatory adults posing as children try to meet them or blackmail them into meeting up or performing sexual acts on webcams, which obviously terrifies them and can leave some feeling suicidal."

This is the first year that police are required to separately record sex abuse cases where the internet is used but the NSPCC says that a small number of forces said they either didn't know about - or weren't using - the Home Office scheme.

Anne Longfield, Children's Commissioner for England, said the "concerning" figures were likely to be "just the tip of the iceberg".

She added: "Successful police operations show that online sexual offenders use sophisticated methods to target, trick and groom children, and may target hundreds of children at a time.

"The internet is increasingly integral to children's lives and they need to be educated about the risks, as well as how to report suspicious behaviour.

"The effect of abuse, whether it happens offline or online is devastating and we need to ensure therapy to help them recover from their ordeal is available."

Turkey charges press freedom activists with 'terrorist propaganda'

A court in Turkey has charged three people with "terrorist propaganda", including a representative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

It ordered the arrest of RSF representative Erol Onderoglu, journalist Ahmet Nesin and academic Sebnem Korur Fincanci. 

RSF said it was "an unbelievable low for press freedom in Turkey".

The arrests come despite the EU pressuring Ankara to stop prosecuting academics and journalists.

The three had reportedly participated in a solidarity campaign in support of Ozgur Gundem, a pro-Kurdish newspaper.

Turkish media say they each acted as chief editor for a day.

• Press freedom in Turkey 'a major concern'

• How dangerous is the instability?

'Dark day'

"This is another dark day for media freedom in Turkey," said Johann Bihr, the head of RSF's eastern Europe and central Asia desk.

Mr Onderoglu was arrested for his work on three articles about security operations in Turkey's largely Kurdish south-east and infighting among security forces, said Mr Bihr.

He described Mr Onderoglu, who had worked for RSF for two decades, as a "victim of the abuses he always denounced".

The academic Sebnem Korur Financi is the chairwoman of Turkey's Human Rights Foundation, and Ahmet Nesin a well-known journalist. 

RSF ranks Turkey 151st out of 180 countries in its latest World Press Freedom Index for 2016.

Press freedom activists have warned that freedom of expression has dramatically declined recently, and that lawsuits against journalists, academics and other public figures are increasingly common. 

In May a Turkish court jailed two prominent journalists for revealing state secrets, in a case widely criticised by international observers.

Can Dundar and Erdem Gul, editor and Ankara bureau chief of opposition daily Cumhuriyet, reported that Turkey had tried to ship arms to rebels fighting the Syrian government.

Freedom of the press in Turkey

• Turkey ranks 151st amongst the 180 countries in the WReporters Without Border World Press Freedom Index for 2016
• Media organisations in Turkey say that more than 30 journalists are currently behind bars
• Most imprisoned journalists are of Kurdish origin
• The government argues journalism in Turkey is among the most free in the world

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Turkey is waging a military offensive against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the south-east and is restricting the press coverage of the campaign. 

Several foreign journalists have been also arrested and deported for reporting the offensive.

The EU wants Turkey to change its terrorism laws, and has made it one of the conditions of its controversial migrant deal with Turkey that promises visa-free access to the EU for Turks.

Memorial Fund For MP Jo Cox Reaches £1m

An online memorial fund set up in the name of Labour MP Jo Cox following her killing has topped the £1m mark.

The GoFundMe page was set up after Mrs Cox was killed on Thursday.

It is raising funds for three causes which her husband, Brendan Cox, said were close to her heart - The Royal Voluntary Service, HOPE not hate and The White Helmets.

Mr Cox tweeted: "Thank you to everyone for your incredible generosity. This will change lives in Syria, Batley and across the UK."

More than 30,700 people have contributed to the memorial fund in three days.

The fund was pushed past the seven-figure mark by a £6,000 donation from a "David Newton" which joined offerings small and large that have poured in.

Tim Dixon, a friend of Mrs Cox, and one of those who launched the fund, said: "The scale and speed of the public response to this fund has been overwhelming and deeply gratifying to Jo's family.

A message on the gofundme site says: "In case you would also like a chance to honour her in person, we wanted to let you all know that there will be a series of global events on Wednesday, which would have been Jo's 42nd birthday.

Across the world, we will gather together to celebrate Jo's life; her warmth, love, energy, passion, flair, Yorkshire heritage, and her belief in the humanity of every person in every place, from Batley and Spen to Aleppo and Darayya.

George Cross call for Jo Cox attack 'hero' Bernard Kenny

Calls are growing for a pensioner who tried to save MP Jo Cox to be officially honoured for his bravery.

Bernard Kenny, 77, was stabbed in the stomach as he went to the aid of Mrs Cox when she was shot and stabbed in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on Thursday.

The 41-year-old Labour MP for Batley and Spen died from her injuries. A man, 52, has been charged with her murder. 

A petition to Cabinet Office minister Matthew Hancock said "hero" Mr Kenny deserved the "highest honour".

It has passed its initial target of 4,000 backers.

The George Cross is the highest bravery honour that can be given to non-military personnel.

Thomas Mair, who appeared via videolink at the Old Bailey on Monday, is charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.

Mr Kenny, who is in a stable condition in hospital, is understood to be a former miner who was part of the rescue operation during a 1973 Yorkshire mining disaster.

Seven men died when part of the now-closed Lofthouse Colliery, near Leeds, flooded.

The petition calls on the Home Office "to award the George Cross to hero who fought attacker of Jo Cox MP".

It adds: "We believe that Bernard Kenny deserves the highest honour for bravery that this country can award. 

"The Cabinet Office must make it so as quickly as possible, so that our nation's thoughts are on love and bravery rather than hate and fear."

Eddie Downes, a mining historian and engineer, said he was not surprised by Mr Kenny's actions in Birstall.

He said: "He's a rescue man - they put their lives on the line whenever they went into a mine, they're a breed apart.

"He's superb, not a lot of people would have done that."

• Britain's highest award for gallantry, along with Victoria Cross
• It is the top bravery award that civilians can receive
• Also presented to members of the military for heroism not in the presence of the enemy
• Introduced in 1940 by Winston Churchill to recognise the courage of civilians during the aerial bombing of the UK

Mr Kenny's actions were remembered at a church service at St Peter's Church in Birstall on Sunday.

Parishioner Leif Wickes, who led prayers, said that "despite his 77 years" Mr Kenny "intervened in the attack to try to save Jo's life and was stabbed and badly injured".

He added: "We give thanks for his courage and his example and pray for his speedy recovery."

MPs, who had been in recess for the EU referendum, have been recalled to the Commons to remember Mrs Cox.

Trump Drops Campaign Manager Lewandowski

Donald Trump has dropped his campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.

Campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in a statement: "The Donald J Trump Campaign for President, which has set a historic record in the Republican primary having received almost 14 million votes, has today announced that Corey Lewandowski will no longer be working with the campaign.

"The campaign is grateful to Corey for his hard work and dedication and we wish him the best in the future."

Lewandowski was accused of manhandling a female reporter at one event

Mr Lewandowski, who had been with the billionaire real estate tycoon since he launched his White House bid, had been accused of manhandling a female reporter in Florida during the primary campaign.

He was cleared over the alleged assault.

He travelled with the presumptive Republican nominee on his private plane to nearly every campaign stop, granting him more direct access to the businessman than virtually any other campaign staffer.

Mr Lewandowski dismissed the idea that Mr Trump needed to hire more experienced political figures for his campaign, spend on polling and data operations or moderate his statements.

But he had been under pressure in recent months with more traditional party strategists hired by Mr Trump to reshape his campaign operation.

Led by Paul Manafort, the team had been urging Mr Trump to hire more staff and to tone down his fiery rallies.

The tycoon has seen his numbers slide in recent national polls against presumptive Democrat nominee Hillary Clinton.

His call for Muslims to be banned from entering the US drew heavy criticism from Republican officials and led to sponsors including Apple and JPMorgan withholding funding for the party's national convention in Cleveland next month.

Campaign sources told the newspaper that Mr Trump was looking to make changes ahead of the convention.

Mr Lewandowski did not respond to requests for comment. He is still scheduled to attend the Cleveland convention as chairman of New Hampshire's delegation.

A campaign insider told the Reuters news agency that some staffers had not yet been informed of his departure.

Trump Drops Campaign Manager Lewandowski

Donald Trump has dropped his campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.

Campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in a statement: "The Donald J Trump Campaign for President, which has set a historic record in the Republican primary having received almost 14 million votes, has today announced that Corey Lewandowski will no longer be working with the campaign.

"The campaign is grateful to Corey for his hard work and dedication and we wish him the best in the future."

Lewandowski was accused of manhandling a female reporter at one event

Mr Lewandowski, who had been with the billionaire real estate tycoon since he launched his White House bid, had been accused of manhandling a female reporter in Florida during the primary campaign.

He was cleared over the alleged assault.

He travelled with the presumptive Republican nominee on his private plane to nearly every campaign stop, granting him more direct access to the businessman than virtually any other campaign staffer.

Mr Lewandowski dismissed the idea that Mr Trump needed to hire more experienced political figures for his campaign, spend on polling and data operations or moderate his statements.

But he had been under pressure in recent months with more traditional party strategists hired by Mr Trump to reshape his campaign operation.

Led by Paul Manafort, the team had been urging Mr Trump to hire more staff and to tone down his fiery rallies.

The tycoon has seen his numbers slide in recent national polls against presumptive Democrat nominee Hillary Clinton.

His call for Muslims to be banned from entering the US drew heavy criticism from Republican officials and led to sponsors including Apple and JPMorgan withholding funding for the party's national convention in Cleveland next month.

Campaign sources told the newspaper that Mr Trump was looking to make changes ahead of the convention.

Mr Lewandowski did not respond to requests for comment. He is still scheduled to attend the Cleveland convention as chairman of New Hampshire's delegation.

A campaign insider told the Reuters news agency that some staffers had not yet been informed of his departure.

Trump Drops Campaign Manager Lewandowski

Donald Trump has dropped his campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.

Campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in a statement: "The Donald J Trump Campaign for President, which has set a historic record in the Republican primary having received almost 14 million votes, has today announced that Corey Lewandowski will no longer be working with the campaign.

"The campaign is grateful to Corey for his hard work and dedication and we wish him the best in the future."

Lewandowski was accused of manhandling a female reporter at one event

Mr Lewandowski, who had been with the billionaire real estate tycoon since he launched his White House bid, had been accused of manhandling a female reporter in Florida during the primary campaign.

He was cleared over the alleged assault.

He travelled with the presumptive Republican nominee on his private plane to nearly every campaign stop, granting him more direct access to the businessman than virtually any other campaign staffer.

Mr Lewandowski dismissed the idea that Mr Trump needed to hire more experienced political figures for his campaign, spend on polling and data operations or moderate his statements.

But he had been under pressure in recent months with more traditional party strategists hired by Mr Trump to reshape his campaign operation.

Led by Paul Manafort, the team had been urging Mr Trump to hire more staff and to tone down his fiery rallies.

The tycoon has seen his numbers slide in recent national polls against presumptive Democrat nominee Hillary Clinton.

His call for Muslims to be banned from entering the US drew heavy criticism from Republican officials and led to sponsors including Apple and JPMorgan withholding funding for the party's national convention in Cleveland next month.

Campaign sources told the newspaper that Mr Trump was looking to make changes ahead of the convention.

Mr Lewandowski did not respond to requests for comment. He is still scheduled to attend the Cleveland convention as chairman of New Hampshire's delegation.

A campaign insider told the Reuters news agency that some staffers had not yet been informed of his departure.