Sunday, April 9, 2017
Sun-day! Hottest day of the year so far is forecast in parts of UK
Most of England and Wales are set to continue basking in sunshine today, with the hottest day of the year expected in some parts of the country.
The day will see a lot of sunshine across the majority of England and Wales, and for parts of the South East temperatures could reach 24C or possibly slightly higher.
That would make it the warmest day of the year so far, topping the 22.1C recorded on 30 March in Gravesend, Kent.
It would also see UK temperatures top those in parts of the Mediterranean.
The warm spell comes as high pressure is moving eastwards this weekend, allowing for southerly winds to suck up the warm air from Spain and northwest Africa.
However, not everywhere will experience the bright and mild spring weather on Sunday.
For Scotland and Ireland it will be cloudy and cool again with spells of rain.
Overnight on Sunday, winds will change to a northerly direction - pushing down cloud, rain and showers, and in turn temperatures could drop by 10 degrees.
There could even be some wintry outbreaks over the Scottish Highlands.
Into the week, it will be mostly cloudy and breezy for northern parts of the UK with a chance of rain, most probably over the northwest of Scotland.
At this stage southern areas look to be drier and sunnier, with lighter winds and feeling mild, but not as warm as this weekend.
Turkish Airlines cabin crew deliver premature baby mid-flight at 42,000ft
A cabin crew stepped in to help deliver a premature baby at 42,000ft after a mother unexpectedly went into labour mid-flight.
Shortly after take-off from Guinea's capital Conakry, crew on board a Turkish Airlines flight were forced to act as 28 weeks pregnant Nafi Diaby began to suffer childbirth pains.
With the help of passengers, the flight crew safely delivered a baby girl, who was named Kadiju.
After landing in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Ms Diaby and her child were taken to hospital.
A Turkish Airlines spokesperson said both were reported to have been healthy.
The airline tweeted pictures of its crew posing with the newborn baby, along with a message which read: "Welcome on board Princess! Applause goes to our cabin crew!"
Expectant mothers are able to travel with most airlines until they are 36 weeks pregnant.
Some airlines, like Ryanair, require a letter from a midwife or doctor for expectant mothers who have reached their 28th week of pregnancy.
Shortly after take-off from Guinea's capital Conakry, crew on board a Turkish Airlines flight were forced to act as 28 weeks pregnant Nafi Diaby began to suffer childbirth pains.
With the help of passengers, the flight crew safely delivered a baby girl, who was named Kadiju.
After landing in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Ms Diaby and her child were taken to hospital.
A Turkish Airlines spokesperson said both were reported to have been healthy.
The airline tweeted pictures of its crew posing with the newborn baby, along with a message which read: "Welcome on board Princess! Applause goes to our cabin crew!"
Expectant mothers are able to travel with most airlines until they are 36 weeks pregnant.
Some airlines, like Ryanair, require a letter from a midwife or doctor for expectant mothers who have reached their 28th week of pregnancy.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Syria strikes: The story behind Trump's '72-hour evolution'
As President Trump was wrapping up his dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago – a hearty menu that included pan-seared Dover sole and dry-aged New York strip steak, paired with California wines – he delivered the news: The U.S. had launched strikes on Syria.
By this point, the first of 59 missiles already had started to rain down on the Assad airbase alleged to have been used to carry out this week’s deadly chemical attack. Planning for a U.S. response had been underway since Tuesday – but the final decision to order missile strikes, and the military’s execution of that directive, took place over the course of just a few hours Thursday evening.
The timeline of the president’s decision-making and the mission itself was detailed late Friday by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and other U.S. officials. The president’s top spokesman described the course of events as a “72-hour evolution” that involved “updates and options and refinements” before a final decision.
OBAMA OFFICIALS UNDER FIRE FOR CHEMICAL WEAPONS CLAIMS
“He’s not going to telegraph his next move,” Spicer cautioned, but described Thursday’s actions as carefully planned, decisive and “justified.”
According to Spicer and other officials, the timeline played out as follows:
By this point, the first of 59 missiles already had started to rain down on the Assad airbase alleged to have been used to carry out this week’s deadly chemical attack. Planning for a U.S. response had been underway since Tuesday – but the final decision to order missile strikes, and the military’s execution of that directive, took place over the course of just a few hours Thursday evening.
The timeline of the president’s decision-making and the mission itself was detailed late Friday by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and other U.S. officials. The president’s top spokesman described the course of events as a “72-hour evolution” that involved “updates and options and refinements” before a final decision.
OBAMA OFFICIALS UNDER FIRE FOR CHEMICAL WEAPONS CLAIMS
“He’s not going to telegraph his next move,” Spicer cautioned, but described Thursday’s actions as carefully planned, decisive and “justified.”
According to Spicer and other officials, the timeline played out as follows:
Boris Johnson cancels trip to Moscow next week over Syria
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has cancelled a visit to Moscow next week as tensions grow over events in Syria.
It comes after the UK backed US airstrikes on a Syrian airbase where a horrifying chemical attack was allegedly launched.
Russia, an ally of the Assad regime, said the strikes had "completely ruined" the relationship between Moscow and Washington.
Mr Johnson spoke with US secretary of state Rex Tillerson, who is still due to visit Russia, before making his decision.
The Foreign Secretary said: "Developments in Syria have changed the situation fundamentally.
"My priority is now to continue contact with the US and others in the run up to the G7 meeting on 10-11 April - to build coordinated international support for a ceasefire on the ground and an intensified political process.
"I will be working to arrange for other like-minded partners to meet and explore next steps soon too.
"I discussed these plans in detail with Secretary Tillerson. He will visit Moscow as planned and, following the G7 meeting, will be able to deliver that clear and coordinated message to the Russians.
"We deplore Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime even after the chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians.
"We call on Russia to do everything possible to bring about a political settlement in Syria and work with the rest of the international community to ensure that the shocking events of the last week are never repeated."
Many world leaders have praised Donald Trump's move to strike Syria following the chemical attack of Idlib which has been widely blamed on Damascus.
Syrian allies Russia and Iran have both condemned the US airstrikes.
The US ambassador to the UN has said America is "prepared to do more" militarily in Syria but hopes it will not be necessary.
It comes after the UK backed US airstrikes on a Syrian airbase where a horrifying chemical attack was allegedly launched.
Russia, an ally of the Assad regime, said the strikes had "completely ruined" the relationship between Moscow and Washington.
Mr Johnson spoke with US secretary of state Rex Tillerson, who is still due to visit Russia, before making his decision.
The Foreign Secretary said: "Developments in Syria have changed the situation fundamentally.
"My priority is now to continue contact with the US and others in the run up to the G7 meeting on 10-11 April - to build coordinated international support for a ceasefire on the ground and an intensified political process.
"I will be working to arrange for other like-minded partners to meet and explore next steps soon too.
"I discussed these plans in detail with Secretary Tillerson. He will visit Moscow as planned and, following the G7 meeting, will be able to deliver that clear and coordinated message to the Russians.
"We deplore Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime even after the chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians.
"We call on Russia to do everything possible to bring about a political settlement in Syria and work with the rest of the international community to ensure that the shocking events of the last week are never repeated."
Many world leaders have praised Donald Trump's move to strike Syria following the chemical attack of Idlib which has been widely blamed on Damascus.
Syrian allies Russia and Iran have both condemned the US airstrikes.
The US ambassador to the UN has said America is "prepared to do more" militarily in Syria but hopes it will not be necessary.
Rail strikes to affect Grand National fans
Staff at two train companies in northwest England go on strike today - potentially bringing disruption for thousands of fans heading to the Grand National.
The industrial action by RMT union members at Merseyrail and Arriva Trains North is going to coincide with the biggest horse race of the year - but both operators insist they are prepared, and will be able to run services.
Merseyrail said drivers in the Aslef union are unlikely to cross RMT picket lines, so managers will provide a train service between Liverpool city centre and Aintree before and after the race.
A train will run every seven-and-a-half minutes at key times - but fewer or no trains will run on the rest of the network, with rail replacement buses being offered on some lines.
Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, managing director at Merseyrail, said: "Despite the RMT's best efforts to scupper this iconic event and create misery for the tens of thousands of people who look forward to it all year, we've developed a timetable aimed at getting as many people between central Liverpool and Aintree as we normally do on Grand National day."
:: Grand National - 10 horses to follow
For Arriva Trains North, services will be "significantly reduced", with its last trains leaving Liverpool Lime Street between 7.02pm and 8.16pm.
The company said there are six extra trains on Saturday evening for racegoers.
Richard Allan, deputy managing director, said passengers should plan ahead: "We are also asking customers travelling direct to Manchester to consider using other train operators' express services.
"This will help to free up space on Northern services that stop at many local stations not served by other operators."
The RMT union will use an advertising billboard in Liverpool and at Aintree to explain the reasons for the strike, which include driver-only trains being scheduled to come into service from 2020.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "It is well established that once the guarantee of a guard is withdrawn then disabled passengers are disadvantaged because they can no longer be assured of being able to turn up and get on or off the train at unstaffed stations."
The 24-hour walkout is also being joined by union members at Southern, as their dispute heads for its second year.
Southern says it is hoping to provide a near-normal Saturday service on all but one route - with none of its services operating between Clapham Junction and Milton Keynes Central via Kensington Olympia and Watford Junction.
The industrial action by RMT union members at Merseyrail and Arriva Trains North is going to coincide with the biggest horse race of the year - but both operators insist they are prepared, and will be able to run services.
Merseyrail said drivers in the Aslef union are unlikely to cross RMT picket lines, so managers will provide a train service between Liverpool city centre and Aintree before and after the race.
A train will run every seven-and-a-half minutes at key times - but fewer or no trains will run on the rest of the network, with rail replacement buses being offered on some lines.
Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, managing director at Merseyrail, said: "Despite the RMT's best efforts to scupper this iconic event and create misery for the tens of thousands of people who look forward to it all year, we've developed a timetable aimed at getting as many people between central Liverpool and Aintree as we normally do on Grand National day."
:: Grand National - 10 horses to follow
For Arriva Trains North, services will be "significantly reduced", with its last trains leaving Liverpool Lime Street between 7.02pm and 8.16pm.
The company said there are six extra trains on Saturday evening for racegoers.
Richard Allan, deputy managing director, said passengers should plan ahead: "We are also asking customers travelling direct to Manchester to consider using other train operators' express services.
"This will help to free up space on Northern services that stop at many local stations not served by other operators."
The RMT union will use an advertising billboard in Liverpool and at Aintree to explain the reasons for the strike, which include driver-only trains being scheduled to come into service from 2020.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "It is well established that once the guarantee of a guard is withdrawn then disabled passengers are disadvantaged because they can no longer be assured of being able to turn up and get on or off the train at unstaffed stations."
The 24-hour walkout is also being joined by union members at Southern, as their dispute heads for its second year.
Southern says it is hoping to provide a near-normal Saturday service on all but one route - with none of its services operating between Clapham Junction and Milton Keynes Central via Kensington Olympia and Watford Junction.
Ex-England rugby star Brian Moore suffers heart attack
Former England rugby international Brian Moore is recovering in intensive care after suffering a heart attack.
Moore, 55, revealed on Twitter he was being treated at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London.
He said: "As this is starting to get out - I'm out of ICU of St George's having suffered heart attack.
"Thanks to the professionals who saved my life."
Moore won 64 England caps between 1987 and 1995 and also played five times for the British and Irish Lions.
The hooker trained as a solicitor but became a TV pundit after retiring from rugby.
Moore, 55, revealed on Twitter he was being treated at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London.
He said: "As this is starting to get out - I'm out of ICU of St George's having suffered heart attack.
"Thanks to the professionals who saved my life."
Moore won 64 England caps between 1987 and 1995 and also played five times for the British and Irish Lions.
The hooker trained as a solicitor but became a TV pundit after retiring from rugby.
MTV goes gender neutral for Movie and TV awards
MTV is scrapping male and female categories to make this year's Movie and TV Awards gender neutral.
The revamped awards will no longer be awarding prizes for best actor and best actress as is traditional, but will instead merge men and women in communal categories.
It means Emma Watson will compete with Hugh Jackman and James McAvoy for best actor in a movie at this year's awards, while Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown and Emilia Clarke from Game Of Thrones will go up against The Walking Dead's Jeffrey Dean Morgan for best actor in a show.
Earlier this week, gender non-binary actor Asia Kate Dillon, who was born a woman but does not identify as either male or female, raised the issue of division at award ceremonies.
After being nominated for an Emmy award, the actor wrote to the Television Academy about the issue, asking why it was necessary to "denote anatomy or identity".
Organisers wrote back saying "anyone can submit under either category for any reason", and asked Dillon to choose the preferred category.
The Billions star chose best supporting actor, arguing "actor" is generally seen as a non-gendered word.
The Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Emmys and Baftas all still have have separate categories for men and women, however music awards ceremony the Grammys has always had non-gendered categories.
As well as the gender-free categories, MTV has also introduced five new gongs this year: best American story; tearjerker; best host; best reality competition and best fight against the system, replacing the previous best fight award.
And for the first time, programmes shown on TV and streaming services will also be included in the awards.
Horror comedy Get Out leads the MTV nominations, with six nods in categories including movie of the year and best actor for star Daniel Kaluuya.
Beauty And The Beast and Stranger Things each earned four nominations.
Atlanta, Game Of Thrones and Hidden Figures received three nods, as did Logan, Moonlight and This Is Us.
American comedian Adam Devine will host the MTV Movie and TV Awards in LA on 7 May.
The revamped awards will no longer be awarding prizes for best actor and best actress as is traditional, but will instead merge men and women in communal categories.
It means Emma Watson will compete with Hugh Jackman and James McAvoy for best actor in a movie at this year's awards, while Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown and Emilia Clarke from Game Of Thrones will go up against The Walking Dead's Jeffrey Dean Morgan for best actor in a show.
Earlier this week, gender non-binary actor Asia Kate Dillon, who was born a woman but does not identify as either male or female, raised the issue of division at award ceremonies.
After being nominated for an Emmy award, the actor wrote to the Television Academy about the issue, asking why it was necessary to "denote anatomy or identity".
Organisers wrote back saying "anyone can submit under either category for any reason", and asked Dillon to choose the preferred category.
The Billions star chose best supporting actor, arguing "actor" is generally seen as a non-gendered word.
The Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Emmys and Baftas all still have have separate categories for men and women, however music awards ceremony the Grammys has always had non-gendered categories.
As well as the gender-free categories, MTV has also introduced five new gongs this year: best American story; tearjerker; best host; best reality competition and best fight against the system, replacing the previous best fight award.
And for the first time, programmes shown on TV and streaming services will also be included in the awards.
Horror comedy Get Out leads the MTV nominations, with six nods in categories including movie of the year and best actor for star Daniel Kaluuya.
Beauty And The Beast and Stranger Things each earned four nominations.
Atlanta, Game Of Thrones and Hidden Figures received three nods, as did Logan, Moonlight and This Is Us.
American comedian Adam Devine will host the MTV Movie and TV Awards in LA on 7 May.
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