Belfast Bomb Was 'Attempt To Injure Or Kill'

A bomb which exploded in the centre of Belfast where hundreds of people were packed into bars and restaurants had the potential to kill, police have said.

The blast in the city's bustling Cathedral Quarter has been blamed on dissident republicans opposed to the peace process.

Christmas partygoers were evacuated when the device detonated just before 7pm on Friday evening. There were no reports of any injuries.

Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum said the bombing had been a totally reckless attack that could have killed or maimed anyone nearby when the device went off.

"This was an attack on the people of Belfast going about their normal lives on a busy night for socialising in the city. This attack ruined the night out for these people., " he said.

"Those who carried out this attack have nothing to offer except disruption and destruction. Police would appeal for continued community support and vigilance on the run up to Christmas in seeking to disrupt or deter any further attack on the city."

Hundreds of people were evaucated. Pic: Mark Ashbridge

A warning had been given about a device, however it was left at a different location to that named in a call to a newspaper.

It is understood the device was contained in a box that was left on a pavement in front of a busy restaurant.

Stormont's Justice Minister David Ford said the blast was an "attempt to kill or injure innocent people".

"The people carrying out these attacks have set out no reason and explained no cause for their acts of senseless violence. Their only aim seems to be to injure and disrupt. They ignore the strength of public support for normality and peace, especially at this Christmas season."

Security has been ramped up in the city since a man was forced by masked dissidents to drive a car bomb to a shopping centre that faces a police station last month. That 60kg (132lb) device only partially exploded and no-one was injured.

While the threat posed by the violent extremists has remained classed as severe, police have acknowledged a "surge" in activity has taken place in recent weeks.

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Portsmouth Shipyard Job Losses: Protests

By Alex Rossi, Sky News Correspondent

Hundreds of people are expected to take to the streets of Portsmouth this morning to protest against job losses by defence giant BAE Systems.

It was announced last month that more than 900 jobs are being axed, ending shipbuilding in the historic naval city for good.

Lisa Fletcher, a community support officer for Unite, says the job cuts are a disaster not just for Portsmouth, but for the entire Solent region.

"It's not just about the jobs ... it's going to affect the industries in the pubs, restaurants, schools even and transport, " she told Sky News.

According to the local university, for every 100 jobs lost in shipbuilding a further 66 are lost in the wider economy in pubs, restaurants and other service industries.

BAE systems and the Government claim warship building in the UK needs to be consolidated into one site on the Clyde in Scotland if it is to remain sustainable.

And although maintenance and repairs will remain in Portsmouth, the end of shipbuilding is a massive blow to a city steeped in maritime history - ships have been built in Pompey for more than 500 years.

HMS Duncan was built at Portsmouth dockyards

Workers at the BAE dockyard are apprehensive about the future.

Geoff Collins, a shop steward and pipe worker, is still coming to terms with his imminent redundancy. He fears at the age of 63 he will never find work again.

"It's taken the wind out of my sails really, slowed me right up. Thinking what's going to happen next. And what's going to happen for the younger generation with the skills ...?"

But trade union leaders believe the fight for shipbuilding in Portsmouth is not over yet.

They hope the Government will have a change of heart and instead elect for a three-dock solution which would also mean fewer job losses at the shipyards in Scotland that have also been affected.

Prospect negotiator John Ferrett hopes the decision will be reversed: "We believe that there is a solution, whilst that would mean job reductions right across the three yards, we believe we would be able to retain the capability."

The redundancies will begin as the work on two aircraft carriers finishes.

If the decision is not changed, people in Portsmouth fear centuries of shipbuilding will be sunk forever.

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Migrants Face 'More Robust' Benefits Test

A "more robust" test for migrants who want to claim income-related benefits is being rolled out at jobcentres across Wales, England and Scotland this week.

The new habitual residence test is part of the Government's plan to ensure that only migrants who have a legal right to be in the UK, and plan to contribute to this country, can make a claim for benefits.

In order to pass the test, migrants will have to answer more individually tailored questions, provide more detailed answers, and submit more evidence before they will be allowed to make a claim.

For the first time migrants will be quizzed about what efforts they have made to find work before coming to the UK and whether their English language skills will be a barrier to them finding employment.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith said: "It is vitally important that we have strict rules in place to protect the integrity of our benefits system.

"The British public are rightly concerned that migrants should contribute to this country and not be drawn here by the attractiveness of our benefits system. And we are taking action to ensure that that is the case.

"The roll-out of the new habitual residence test is the first in a series of measures to ensure that we have a fair system: one which provides support for genuine workers and jobseekers, but does not allow people to come to our country and take advantage. It is a crucial part of our long-term plan to secure Britain's economy."

Labour's shadow welfare minister Chris Bryant said: "For generations, people have come to this country and worked hard to contribute to Britain, but the principle of contribution is an important one, and the controls on immigration must be fair to those who live here.

"That is why Labour called for stronger restrictions on benefits for new arrivals from the EU, including proposals eight months ago to strengthen the habitual residence test to make it clear that people should not be able to claim benefits when they first arrive.

"At the time, the Government dismissed those proposals, but eight months later they have changed their minds and keep re-announcing their proposals.

"Yet the Government are still doing nothing to tackle the serious problem of low-skilled migrant workers being exploited, undercutting local workers and responsible businesses too. That is bad for everyone, yet they are doing nothing about it."

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Food Poverty: 1.5m UK Pensioners Struggling

By Ashish Joshi, Sky News Correspondent

More than 1.5 million British pensioners are now living in food poverty - and the situation is set to worsen this winter, according to new research.

The Centre for Economics and Business says a quarter of over-65s have had to make cutbacks on food over the past three years, and over one million are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition because they are struggling to afford basic nutritious food.

The reason is that while the cost of living has continued to rise, incomes have not kept pace.

Increasing food prices in particular have hit the elderly the most.

The study shows over-65s will spend an average of £699 on food between October and December this year - that's an increase of £138 compared to the same quarter five years ago.

And by 2018 there will be an additional increase of £297 on top of that bill. It all adds up to the over-65s being harder hit than any other demographic.

Members describe the lunch clubs as a lifeline

Raina Barnes, 82, from Perivale, Middlesex, has been attending the Age Concern lunch club in Greenford for the past few months. Hot meals and warm company are provided by the charity.

Mrs Barnes, who was widowed last year, remembers when a £30 shop would easily last a few weeks. These days, she says, you get "hardly anything" for that amount.

"I think the supermarkets are taking us for a ride. One minute they're putting their prices down. The next they're going higher. You've only got a certain amount of money to spend," she says.

"All the basics like bread, milk and eggs are the things you need all the time. I mean eggs have just gone up terrible. You just have to see how it goes."

Sharing the dinner table with Mrs Barnes is 88-year-old Harry Thomas, a World War Two veteran. Mr Thomas says he shops around to compare the best prices in local supermarkets.

"It's a very hard thing these days for people, the price of things. You go to one shop and the price might have been dropped and you go to another and the price goes up a little bit.

"You never know what to buy. All I do is look at the price and say 'too high' and I don't bother."

Danny Woolcott, 87, has been a regular at the lunch club for more than six years. The retired mechanic, from Southall, visits three times a week.

He blames the Government for "letting pensioners down".

"I would like to see any government looking after the elderly people of this country.

"The people who brought this country along are being neglected badly and I think it's disgusting the way things have been left, honestly and truthfully."

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Dog Attack: Leeds Mother Dies From Injuries

A mother-of-four has died after she was attacked by dogs.

Emma Bennett died on Tuesday evening after suffering serious bite injuries in an incident at a house in Dawlish Avenue, Osmondthorpe, Leeds.

It was reported that the attack on Monday afternoon happened while the 27-year-old was suffering an epileptic fit.

She reportedly lived in the house with her boyfriend and an American pitbull and Staffordshire bull terrier.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Two dogs were seized following the incident and police inquiries remain ongoing this evening.

"Officers would like to speak to anybody who has information about the incident and the dogs involved in it.

"Anyone who has information should contact Protective Services at West Yorkshire Police on 101."

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post after the attack, one neighbour said: "It is usually quiet here.

"It is just not the kind of thing that happens around here."

Earlier, police said the injured woman had been taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment.

Officers responded to reports that a woman was "in distress" at the address in Dawlish Avenue.

The force added: "One dog which got loose from the property was contained by officers in Back Dawlish Road and recovered. Another was safely removed from the address a short time later."

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Alzheimer's: Brain Scan Could Help Diagnosis

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

A brain scan which helps doctors find potential signs of Alzheimer's disease in patients is now available on the NHS for the first time.

The new diagnostic technique provides a way of detecting changes in the brain that might be symptomatic of Alzheimer's in living patients.

Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company behind the development, announced that the first patient is to be scanned at London's Charing Cross Hospital.

Protein clumps in the brain called beta-amyloid plaques are known to be closely associated with Alzheimer's.

But until now it has not been possible to confirm their presence until a deceased patient's brain is examined.

The news comes as the Prime Minister is to call for international collaboration to urgently find a cure for dementia.

David Cameron will tell health ministers from the world's leading industrialised nations that the disease is the key medical challenge of this generation.

Only a global response can stop cases trebling worldwide by 2050, he will say.

More action is needed to prevent dementia, campaigners say

The UK is using its presidency of the G8 to hold an unprecedented dementia summit in London.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, eight times more money is spent researching cancer than dementia.

Hannah Clack, the society's spokeswoman, said the G8 summit must bring change.

"Dementia has spent a long time in the closet," she said. "It's where cancer was in the 1980s.

"This is becoming a big global problem and we need to take it to where cancer is today ... and bring hope for both those conditions."

The Government will spend £66m on dementia research next year.

But Mr Cameron will signal an ambition to double research spending by the Government, charities and drug companies by 2025.

Scientists still do not understand what causes dementia, making a cure elusive.

At St George's University of London scientists are examining slices of donated brain tissue, working on the hunch that poor blood flow causes cells to die, triggering symptoms.

Atticus Hainsworth, the neuroscientist leading the research, told Sky News there is a mountain to climb.

"We are in the foothills, barely out of the treeline," he said. "We are just discovering some of the molecules involved. But we need to know much more.

"If we know about the molecules and cells that take a brain to dementia then we can provide therapies that will improve the outcome and change the disease course."

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Obesity Epidemic Is 'Mass Child Neglect'

By David Crabtree, Sky News Correspondent

The lack of a national policy to ensure children become more active is a form of mass child neglect, according to a new study.

It claims that despite a wealth of evidence showing the benefits of regular exercise, leadership and strategy on the issue are "totally absent."

The report is from the British Journal of Sports Medicine, an influential research organisation which has drawn its findings from a number of experts from the worlds of sport and medicine, including Sam Allardyce, Richard Weiler, Gregory Whyte and Emmanuel Stamatakis.

They say regular exercise in childhood can help boost academic performance, curb anti-social behaviour and determine patterns of physical health and wealth in adulthood.

But only a third of boys and a quarter of girls in England meet the minimum recommended daily physical activity levels.

They warn that one in three youngsters leaving primary education is obese, most of whom will become obese adults.

The authors say: "Despite the well-accepted benefits of physical activity and the recognised importance of schools in delivering the crucial physical literacy and activity opportunities, the erosion of physical education in schools combined with ever-reducing play facilities has the opposite effect.

"Worse, the amount of school curriculum time children spend in physical education and activity is neither monitored nor known by any educational or regulatory authorities,"  they point out.

"And there is no statutory minimum requirement for schools to devote a specific amount of time to physical education."

Despite the 2012 Olympic promises to protect school playing fields, these continue to be sold off, say the authors, and although £150m has been pledged for each of the next two years to improve the physical education of primary school children, this translates into just £9,500 per school.

"The government has allocated £28.4m for competitive school games, but this approach doesn't suit all children, and there is some evidence to suggest that it benefits those who least need it - the wealthiest and most privileged."

They highlight the fact that Team GB came third in the medals table at the 2012 Olympics, but that the UK also took gold and silver in the European obesity league tables last year.

"The minimal funding, lack of interest and absence of a child physical activity strategy strongly support the notion that the state is failing to act to prevent harm against children and failing to meet children's basic physical needs likely to result in the serious impairment of their health and development.

"This is quite literally indistinguishable from the government's own definition of child neglect," they conclude.

They call for current and future governments and educational bodies to act to create a comprehensive child-centred national physical activity policy to give children from all backgrounds and sporting abilities every opportunity to be active on a daily basis.

In response to the BJSM report a government spokesman said: "This government is taking decisive action to harness the Olympic spirit and make sure every child has the opportunity to be fit and healthy.

"We have extended our ring-fenced funding for primary schools to spend on sport to 2015/16 - with a total of £540m now going directly to head teachers to improve PE and sport in their schools."

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Fixing Claims: Sports Chiefs Called To Summit

Senior officials from five leading sports have been called to a meeting with the Government on fixing.

The talks have been called after it was confirmed six people had been arrested during an investigation into spot-fixing in football, including Blackburn striker DJ Campbell.

Executives from the governing bodies of football, tennis, cricket, rugby union and rugby league will meet Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in London.

Representatives from the Premier League, the Football League, the Gambling Commission and the British Horseracing Authority will also be present.

A Government source said the meeting aimed to share best practices between the sports, and ministers would receive feedback on any changes the sports believe would help tackle the problem.

Former Portsmouth player Sam Sodje was filmed in undercover footage

"We want to make sure no stone is left unturned in the fight against match-fixing in sport," the source said.

Some officials believe changing the law to make match-fixing a criminal offence, rather than police having to use fraud or other related charges, would provide a greater deterrent.

Ministers are understood to be open to any suggestions and will be pushing for sports to share any intelligence they have on fixing with the Gambling Commission.

Campbell, 32, was one of six people detained in an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) after it acted on information passed to it by The Sun On Sunday newspaper.

Five people, including Campbell, have been bailed until April, and a sixth is still being questioned, the NCA said.

Detectives are likely to review a yellow card Campbell received for a tackle committed in the first half of Blackburn's league game against Ipswich last Tuesday.

According to The Sun On Sunday, an undercover investigator met former Portsmouth player Sam Sodje, who allegedly said he could arrange for footballers in the Championship to get themselves a yellow card in return for tens of thousands of pounds.

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Fixing Claims: Four Players Among Six Arrested

Six men arrested as part of a football spot-fixing investigation include four current league players, it has emerged.

Five people detained by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers, acting on information provided by the Sun on Sunday newspaper, have been released on bail until April.

Sky sources have confirmed they are are brothers Sam Sodje, an ex-Portsmouth defender, Akpo Sodje, who plays for Tranmere Rovers, and Steven Sodje, a businessman.

Also bailed were Cristian Montano, who plays for Oldham Athletic, and Blackburn Rovers striker DJ Campbell.

The police inquiry was sparked by allegations made in the Sun on Sunday

The sixth man, still being questioned by police, is Ian Goodison, who also plays for Tranmere.

The six were detained in connection with a second probe into football spot-fixing, followig claims that a player rigged a football league game for cash.

According to the Sun on Sunday, an undercover investigator met Sam Sodje, who allegedly said he could arrange for players in the Football League to get themselves a yellow card in return for tens of thousands of pounds.

The 34-year-old former Nigerian international also allegedly told how he punched an opponent in the groin during a game earlier this year to get sent off in exchange for a £70,000 pay-out.

He further claimed he could rig Premier League games and even said he was preparing to fix matches at next year's World Cup in Brazil.

It also alleged that Cristian Montano attempted to get booked during a match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in October, in return for money.

According to Tuesday's edition of The Sun, detectives were likely to review a yellow card DJ Campbell received for a tackle committed in the first half of Blackburn's league game against Ipswich Town last Tuesday.

Blackburn striker DJ Campbell has played for a number of clubs

An NCA spokesman said: "An active NCA investigation is now  under way and we are working closely with the Football Association and the Gambling Commission.

"Five people were arrested on Sunday morning, and bailed that evening until April 2014.

"A sixth individual was arrested on Sunday evening and is being questioned by NCA officers. No further detail is available at this stage."

Responding to the claims about Sam Sodje, Portsmouth FC spokesman Colin Farmery said: "If these serious allegations are true, then we are extremely shocked and saddened by them, as match-fixing of any type goes to the heart of the integrity of the game.

Ex-Portsmouth defender Sam Sodje is filmed by an undercover reporter

"The player in question no longer plays for the club and we have not been contacted by the authorities, but of course we would co-operate fully with any inquiry."

Oldham said in a statement: "Oldham Athletic Football Club has been made aware of the incident and allegation surrounding one of its players, Cristian Montano.

"The club will commence an immediate internal investigation to establish all the relevant facts of the case.

"The club is co-operating with other agencies in this matter and cannot comment on specific facts at this stage. The club will not be issuing any further statements at this time."

Tranmere said: "As this is an ongoing investigation, the club will make no further comment at this time."

The National Crime Agency is investigating separate fixing claims

The NCA is already carrying out a separate investigation into an alleged international illegal betting syndicate.

Speaking about the latest claims, Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "We treat any allegations of criminal activity in our competitions with the utmost seriousness."

The Professional Footballers' Association said: "These allegations, if proven, unfortunately demonstrate the real issue football faces in terms of corruption and highlights the necessity of the work carried out by the PFA and other stakeholders in the game in educating players of these risks.

"We take the issue of integrity very seriously and will continue in our efforts to eradicate this evil from our game.

"In terms of these specific reports, due to the ongoing investigation by the National Crime Agency, we are unable to comment further at this time."

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Glasgow Helicopter Crash: 'No Engine Failure'

Investigators have said there is no evidence that a police helicopter that crashed into a bar in Glasgow, killing nine people, suffered an engine or gearbox failure.

An initial report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found that "all significant components were present" when, according to witnesses, the aircraft "dropped like a stone" and came down on the Clutha bar last month.

It also confirmed that while all rotor blades were attached at the time of impact, neither the main blades nor the tail blades were rotating.

"Initial evidence indicated that the helicopter struck the flat roof of the single-storey building with a high rate of descent and low/negligible forward speed," the report said.

It added: "Initial assessment provided no evidence of major mechanical disruption to either engine and indicated that the main rotor gearbox was capable of providing drive."

The crash left the police helicopter embedded in the roof of the Clutha

The AAIB said the helicopter suffered "very extensive damage" when it crashed through the roof of the bar on the banks of the River Clyde shortly after 10.20pm on November 29.

All three people on board the aircraft - pilot David Traill, 51, and police officers Kirsty Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43 - were killed.

Six people inside the pub - Robert Jenkins, 61, Mark O'Prey, 44, Colin Gibson, 33, John McGarrigle, 57, Gary Arthur, 48, and Samuel McGhee, 56 - died as debris fell from the roof.

There was no fire, despite the helicopter containing at least 95 litres of fuel - around a quarter of the amount it took off with nearly two hours before.

Sky's Scotland Correspondent James Matthews said: "According to one aviation expert I've spoken to, this is a 'head scratcher' for the AAIB.

The AAIB found the helicopter was not missing any significant parts

"The one thing that caught his eye was the amount of fuel the helicopter had on board when it dropped.

"I'm told 95 litres is not a lot of fuel. Commercial pilots wouldn't tend to operate on that amount, although police helicopters are slightly different in that there is an urgency in their operations, so they can run at lower fuel levels."

The remains of the aircraft have been inspected at AAIB's headquarters in Farnborough, Hampshire, where a detailed examination continues.

Although the helicopter was not fitted with flight recorders, investigators are combing through radar data covering the flight, as well as radio communications and footage from CCTV cameras.

The AAIB's initial report revealed the pilot had significant experience, having flown more than 5,500 hours, including 646 behind the controls of the type of helicopter involved in the crash.

Hundreds of people attended Mr Arthur's funeral in Paisley, Renfrewshire

Meanwhile, the funerals for Mr O'Prey and Mr Arthur, who were among those enjoying a live band when the helicopter came down, have taken place.

Mr O'Prey was described as a "loveable giant" and an "unbelievable character" by his sister Louise, while Mr Arthur's family described him as "the best dad" who "always tried to do his best for us".

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