The Government is facing fresh criticism over Britain's rail network after it was found that half of all passenger journeys will soon be on services owned by foreign countries.
The Press Association's analysis of industry data comes after the announcement earlier this week that Hong Kong company MTR will help run the South West Trains franchise for the next seven years from August.
It follows the recent awarding of the c2c franchise, which runs from the City of London to Essex, to Italian state operator Trenitalia.
The equivalent of 863 million such trips were made last year, which was 50% of total journeys, the figures show.
The breakdown of the annual journeys made on Britain's railways on services owned by foreign countries are:
:: Germany 391 million
:: Netherlands 197 million
:: France 143 million
:: Hong Kong 86 million
:: Italy 46 million
Labour's shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald called for the railways to be renationalised as he claimed it is "ludicrous" that foreign government-owned firms are invited to run UK services "in their own interests" but the British state "is banned from doing so".
He said: "With promised upgrades delayed or cancelled, punctuality at its worst for a decade and fares up 27% since 2010, it's becoming increasingly difficult for the Tories to justify allowing private and foreign state-owned companies to take money out of the system, which should be used to improve services or hold fares down.
"When in public hands, the East Coast Mainline returned over £1bn to the Treasury, kept fares down, had record passenger satisfaction and had excellent industrial relations. We should be building on that success."
Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said privatisation has failed passengers and left foreign state train operators "laughing all the way to the bank".
He added: "The case for public ownership of UK rail to end this racket is now overwhelming."
The number of journeys being made on Britain's railways has more than doubled over the past two decades, from 846 million in 1997/8 to 1.72 billion in 2015/16.
Recent analysis by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), representing train companies and Network Rail, found that 6,400 more train services will be running each week by 2021 due to the ongoing £50bn investment in the network.
RDG chief executive Paul Plummer said: "Passengers and taxpayers have benefited from franchising, where rail companies from around the world bring new ideas and innovation to Britain's railway, and railways across the world still want to learn from our successes.
"Rail companies have worked together to transform Britain's railway, doubling the number of passengers and creating one of the world's safest railways.
"Under franchising, the railway has gone from costing taxpayers £2bn a year in terms of day-to-day costs to contributing £200m, money which helps to fund major rail upgrades."
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "Rail franchises are awarded through fair and open competition to the bidder offering the best deal for passengers and the taxpayer. We look for expertise and knowledge to build a better railway."
The Government is delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century which will improve journeys by providing "more seats, more of the services people want and modern stations," she added.
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
'Data breach' as names and salaries of MPs' staff put online
A "serious data breach" is being investigated after the names and salaries of MPs' staff were published on the internet.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) wrote to MPs to inform them that a number of documents had been been available on the watchdog's "old website" for about four hours after an "error".
"These should not have been made public as they contained confidential personal information about MPs' staff names, salaries, rewards, working patterns and holiday entitlements," Marcial Boo, IPSA chiefe executive, said.
"I would like to reassure you that no information relating to the security of the individuals affected was made public - no addresses, no bank account details, no phone numbers, and no National Insurance numbers were disclosed.
"However, we recognise that this was still extremely sensitive personal information."
It is understood that the documents were viewed and downloaded while they were visible, but it is not immediately known how many people did so.
IPSA said the Information Commissioner had been informed about the breach.
"Our first priority was to remove the data from our website as soon as we were first notified and it was taken down from our website last night within an hour of becoming aware of the issue," Mr Boo said.
"We believe that the information was accessible for around four hours and we will keep you updated with further details as we carry out a full investigation."
IPSA launched a new website last year but the old website is still used, mainly by MPs and their staff.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) wrote to MPs to inform them that a number of documents had been been available on the watchdog's "old website" for about four hours after an "error".
"These should not have been made public as they contained confidential personal information about MPs' staff names, salaries, rewards, working patterns and holiday entitlements," Marcial Boo, IPSA chiefe executive, said.
"I would like to reassure you that no information relating to the security of the individuals affected was made public - no addresses, no bank account details, no phone numbers, and no National Insurance numbers were disclosed.
"However, we recognise that this was still extremely sensitive personal information."
It is understood that the documents were viewed and downloaded while they were visible, but it is not immediately known how many people did so.
IPSA said the Information Commissioner had been informed about the breach.
"Our first priority was to remove the data from our website as soon as we were first notified and it was taken down from our website last night within an hour of becoming aware of the issue," Mr Boo said.
"We believe that the information was accessible for around four hours and we will keep you updated with further details as we carry out a full investigation."
IPSA launched a new website last year but the old website is still used, mainly by MPs and their staff.
Trump to pay $25m settlement over university fraud claims
Donald Trump must pay $25m (£20m) to settle lawsuits over his Trump University, a US judge has ruled.
The legal action claimed students on property seminars at the now defunct university were defrauded.
They paid as much as $35,000 (£27,900) for the infomercial-like seminars, lured by what they described as "false promises" of Mr Trump's investing secrets from his "hand-picked" instructors.
Students said they had been constantly pressured to spend more money but that the university had failed to deliver on the promises.
The Trump University closed in 2010.
Mr Trump vowed to fight the fraud claims during his presidential campaign, but then agreed to settle the cases soon after his election win in November.
He said he was too busy for a trial, despite being adamant that he would have won.
Under the terms of the settlement, Mr Trump does not admit any wrongdoing.
Sky News US Correspondent Amanda Walker said: "It was a problem for him during his campaign, with hundreds of people coming forward saying that Trump University was not what it proclaimed to be, that it wasn't a university of any kind.
"Part of that settlement is actually $1m to the state of New York for those misleading claims that it was a university."
During his campaign, Mr Trump even criticised Gonzalo Curiel, who gave the settlement the final nod, implying the Indiana-born judge's Mexican heritage made him biased.
Judge Curiel said the settlement "provides significant and immediate recovery" and that only two of about 7,000 eligible class action members had objected to its terms.
Sky's Amanda Walker said: "The way (Trump's team) is shaping this is that Donald Trump needs to focus on running the country.
"If he hadn't paid up he would have had to testify, that would have become a distraction from his presidency, so now this is out of the way, he can focus on that.
"But for those people who were involved in this case and for those who have criticised his handling of what was called his university, this is an example of his fraudulent activity as a businessman and it's another criticism, certainly from people who didn't agree with him during his campaign, that he's not fit to be president."
The legal action claimed students on property seminars at the now defunct university were defrauded.
They paid as much as $35,000 (£27,900) for the infomercial-like seminars, lured by what they described as "false promises" of Mr Trump's investing secrets from his "hand-picked" instructors.
Students said they had been constantly pressured to spend more money but that the university had failed to deliver on the promises.
The Trump University closed in 2010.
Mr Trump vowed to fight the fraud claims during his presidential campaign, but then agreed to settle the cases soon after his election win in November.
He said he was too busy for a trial, despite being adamant that he would have won.
Under the terms of the settlement, Mr Trump does not admit any wrongdoing.
Sky News US Correspondent Amanda Walker said: "It was a problem for him during his campaign, with hundreds of people coming forward saying that Trump University was not what it proclaimed to be, that it wasn't a university of any kind.
"Part of that settlement is actually $1m to the state of New York for those misleading claims that it was a university."
During his campaign, Mr Trump even criticised Gonzalo Curiel, who gave the settlement the final nod, implying the Indiana-born judge's Mexican heritage made him biased.
Judge Curiel said the settlement "provides significant and immediate recovery" and that only two of about 7,000 eligible class action members had objected to its terms.
Sky's Amanda Walker said: "The way (Trump's team) is shaping this is that Donald Trump needs to focus on running the country.
"If he hadn't paid up he would have had to testify, that would have become a distraction from his presidency, so now this is out of the way, he can focus on that.
"But for those people who were involved in this case and for those who have criticised his handling of what was called his university, this is an example of his fraudulent activity as a businessman and it's another criticism, certainly from people who didn't agree with him during his campaign, that he's not fit to be president."
Former Power Ranger Ricardo Medina Jr jailed after killing roommate with sword
A former Power Rangers star has been jailed for six years after killing his roommate with a sword.
Prosecutors said Ricardo Medina Jr stabbed Josh Sutter "multiple times" at a home they shared in Green Valley, Los Angeles county, in January 2015.
Medina, who played the red Power Ranger in the TV show in 2002, claimed he was acting in self-defence after Mr Sutter broke into his bedroom following an argument.
The 38-year-old actor was originally charged with first degree murder but later pleaded guilty to a count of voluntary manslaughter.
Medina's lawyer, Stanley Friedman, said the actor agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter so as not to risk a murder conviction and possible life sentence.
During the sentencing at Superior Court in Lancaster, California, Mr Sutter's father asked Judge Daviann Mitchell to show no leniency towards Medina.
Donald Sutter said: "Put this killer in general (prison) population so he will see and feel the same fear that Joshua must have felt."
After stabbing Mr Sutter, Medina called 911 and took his roommate to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
The victim's sister, Rachel Kennedy, told ABC News a post-mortem found her brother sustained 10 sharp force injuries.
These were said to have included hand injuries and a stab wound through the abdomen.
Last year, the TMZ website reported that the blade used had been a "Conan The Barbarian-style broadsword".
Prosecutors said Ricardo Medina Jr stabbed Josh Sutter "multiple times" at a home they shared in Green Valley, Los Angeles county, in January 2015.
Medina, who played the red Power Ranger in the TV show in 2002, claimed he was acting in self-defence after Mr Sutter broke into his bedroom following an argument.
The 38-year-old actor was originally charged with first degree murder but later pleaded guilty to a count of voluntary manslaughter.
Medina's lawyer, Stanley Friedman, said the actor agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter so as not to risk a murder conviction and possible life sentence.
During the sentencing at Superior Court in Lancaster, California, Mr Sutter's father asked Judge Daviann Mitchell to show no leniency towards Medina.
Donald Sutter said: "Put this killer in general (prison) population so he will see and feel the same fear that Joshua must have felt."
After stabbing Mr Sutter, Medina called 911 and took his roommate to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
The victim's sister, Rachel Kennedy, told ABC News a post-mortem found her brother sustained 10 sharp force injuries.
These were said to have included hand injuries and a stab wound through the abdomen.
Last year, the TMZ website reported that the blade used had been a "Conan The Barbarian-style broadsword".
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Kim Jong-Nam's body to be returned to North Korea under deal with Malaysia
Malaysia has agreed to release the body of Kim Jong-Nam to North Korea in return for the release of nine Malaysians being held there.
Mr Kim, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, died last month after two women smeared a deadly nerve agent on his face at Kuala Lumpur airport.
The killing, which has been widely blamed on Pyongyang, led to the breakdown of Malaysia's normally close relations with the secretive regime.
In tit-for-tat moves, the two countries first withdrew their ambassadors, then banned each other's citizens from leaving its soil.
But the day after, Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, adopted a more conciliatory tone, saying the dispute would be solved through quiet negotiations.
Those talks, which he described as "very sensitive", have been successful as on Thursday, Mr Razak announced the deal.
He said: "I had a deep personal concern about this matter, and we worked intensively behind the scenes to achieve this successful outcome.
"Many challenges were overcome to ensure the return of our fellow Malaysians."
Mr Kim, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, died last month after two women smeared a deadly nerve agent on his face at Kuala Lumpur airport.
The killing, which has been widely blamed on Pyongyang, led to the breakdown of Malaysia's normally close relations with the secretive regime.
In tit-for-tat moves, the two countries first withdrew their ambassadors, then banned each other's citizens from leaving its soil.
But the day after, Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, adopted a more conciliatory tone, saying the dispute would be solved through quiet negotiations.
Those talks, which he described as "very sensitive", have been successful as on Thursday, Mr Razak announced the deal.
He said: "I had a deep personal concern about this matter, and we worked intensively behind the scenes to achieve this successful outcome.
"Many challenges were overcome to ensure the return of our fellow Malaysians."
Vladimir Putin Denies Russia Meddled in the Presidential Election
Russian President Vladimir Putin denied any Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Thursday, claiming any allegations are politically motivated lies.
"Read my lips, no," Putin said during a panel moderated by CNBC.
"All those things are fictional, illusory and provocations, lies," he said. "All these are used for domestic American political agendas."
Putin made the comments, which come as the FBI is investigating Russia's election interference, during a panel moderated by CNBC co-anchor Geoff Cutmore at the International Arctic Forum in Arkhangelsk, Russia. FBI Director James Comey confirmed at a congressional hearing this month that the FBI was looking into Russian interference during the election, but did not reveal any information about the investigation.
Earlier this week, the White House said Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, would testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of its inquiry into the matter. But Putin's comments echo those of Trump, who has repeatedly taken to Twitter to call allegations of a connection between his campaign and Russia a "hoax."
"Read my lips, no," Putin said during a panel moderated by CNBC.
"All those things are fictional, illusory and provocations, lies," he said. "All these are used for domestic American political agendas."
Putin made the comments, which come as the FBI is investigating Russia's election interference, during a panel moderated by CNBC co-anchor Geoff Cutmore at the International Arctic Forum in Arkhangelsk, Russia. FBI Director James Comey confirmed at a congressional hearing this month that the FBI was looking into Russian interference during the election, but did not reveal any information about the investigation.
Earlier this week, the White House said Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, would testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of its inquiry into the matter. But Putin's comments echo those of Trump, who has repeatedly taken to Twitter to call allegations of a connection between his campaign and Russia a "hoax."
Alleged Islamic State sympathisers arrested over plot to bomb Venice's Rialto Bridge
Three alleged Islamic State extremists have been arrested on suspicion of plotting to blow up the Rialto Bridge in Venice.
The group had expressed unconditional support for IS and had celebrated after last week's deadly terror attack in London, Venice's chief prosecutor said.
Police had been monitoring the Kosovars since last year - bugging their apartments, tapping their phones and tracking their online communications.
A search of an apartment in the city suggested the suspects had been getting in physical shape and watching Islamic extremist videos demonstrating knife attacks, chief prosecutor Adelchi D'Ippolito said.
The men, who all had regular residency permits to live in Italy, were named as Fisnik Bekaj, 24, Dake Haziraj, 25 and Arjan Babaj, 27.
A minor from Kosovo was also detained to prevent him from interfering with the investigation, police said, while up to three other Kosovars are under investigation over their ties to those arrested.
Mr D'Ippolito said all those detained lived in the historic centre of Venice, the ancient city famous for its canals and packed with tourists for much of the year.
The 426-year-old Rialto Bridge is the oldest of four spanning the Grand Canal. George Clooney and his wife Amal were photographed taking a boat trip under the bridge after their wedding in 2014.
In a statement, Venice's mayor Luigi Brugnaro thanked police for "breaking up a dangerous and active jihadist cell in the centre of the city".
Police also carried out 10 raids overnight in Venice, one in the neighbouring town of Mestre and one in nearby Treviso.
The group had expressed unconditional support for IS and had celebrated after last week's deadly terror attack in London, Venice's chief prosecutor said.
Police had been monitoring the Kosovars since last year - bugging their apartments, tapping their phones and tracking their online communications.
A search of an apartment in the city suggested the suspects had been getting in physical shape and watching Islamic extremist videos demonstrating knife attacks, chief prosecutor Adelchi D'Ippolito said.
The men, who all had regular residency permits to live in Italy, were named as Fisnik Bekaj, 24, Dake Haziraj, 25 and Arjan Babaj, 27.
A minor from Kosovo was also detained to prevent him from interfering with the investigation, police said, while up to three other Kosovars are under investigation over their ties to those arrested.
Mr D'Ippolito said all those detained lived in the historic centre of Venice, the ancient city famous for its canals and packed with tourists for much of the year.
The 426-year-old Rialto Bridge is the oldest of four spanning the Grand Canal. George Clooney and his wife Amal were photographed taking a boat trip under the bridge after their wedding in 2014.
In a statement, Venice's mayor Luigi Brugnaro thanked police for "breaking up a dangerous and active jihadist cell in the centre of the city".
Police also carried out 10 raids overnight in Venice, one in the neighbouring town of Mestre and one in nearby Treviso.
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