Protocol rules out Obama NI visit

Barack Obama and Enda KennyBarack Obama and Enda Kenny discussed the Irish visit at the White House on St Patrick’s Day
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US President Barack Obama will not cross the border into Northern Ireland when he visits the Republic of Ireland, the Irish prime minister has said.

Enda Kenny said diplomatic protocol ruled out such border hopping.

President Obama would have to visit London first, before setting foot in Northern Ireland.

A large US delegation is expected to arrive in the Republic of Ireland at the end of May.

The date is just before Mr Obama travels to London for an official visit.

Mr Obama announced on St Patrick’s Day at a meeting with Mr Kenny in the White House, that he would like to visit his ancestors’ birthplace in Moneygall, County Offaly.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness had raised the possibility of a visit to Northern Ireland with Mr Kenny.

But he said: “The problem actually is that the president, under existing protocol, is not allowed to go to Northern Ireland without first having to go to Britain.

“So if President Obama were to decide to go close to the border, actually from a protocol perspective, he is expected to go to London before he would go to Northern Ireland.”

Although no official date has been announced, Mr Obama is expected to be in Ireland from Sunday 22 May to Tuesday 24 May.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office in London confirmed that for state visits, protocol dictates that a foreign leader must travel to London first, before visiting other areas of the UK.

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Thousands miss chance of new Bacc

classroom scene The new league tables are based on last year’s exams

Thousands of teenagers in England had no chance of getting the new English Baccalaureate in their GCSEs, official data shows.

At 175 state schools, not one pupil was entered for all five of the subjects counted in the new measure.

Education Secretary Michael Gove says the Bacc is an “aspirational measure” which will drive up standards.

But head teachers complain it was brought in after pupils sat their GCSEs last year.

The government has just published additional league tables data which allows parents to see how individual schools are doing on all 84 GCSE subjects.

This is an update to the secondary school league tables released in January.

The English Bacc was brought in by the coalition government.

It is not a qualification in its own right, but is a measure of how many children get a good GCSE (A* to C grade) in English, maths, two science qualifications, a modern foreign language or classical language and either history or geography.

The January league tables showed that just 16% of 16-year-olds achieved the Baccalaureate last year.

School league tables Find secondary schools in your areaEnter full postcode in England Searchor search by local authority Barking and Dagenham Barnet Barnsley Bath and North East Somerset Bedford Bexley Birmingham Blackburn with Darwen Blackpool Bolton Bournemouth Bracknell Forest Bradford Brent Brighton and Hove Bristol, City of Bromley Buckinghamshire Bury Calderdale Cambridgeshire Camden Central Bedfordshire Cheshire East Cheshire West and Chester City of London Cornwall Coventry Croydon Cumbria Darlington Derby Derbyshire Devon Doncaster Dorset Dudley Durham Ealing East Riding of Yorkshire East Sussex Enfield Essex Gateshead Gloucestershire Greenwich Hackney Halton Hammersmith and Fulham Hampshire Haringey Harrow Hartlepool Havering Herefordshire Hertfordshire Hillingdon Hounslow Isle of Wight Isles of Scilly Islington Kensington and Chelsea Kent Kingston upon Hull, City of Kingston upon Thames Kirklees Knowsley Lambeth Lancashire Leeds Leicester Leicestershire Lewisham Lincolnshire Liverpool Luton Manchester Medway Merton Middlesbrough Milton Keynes Newcastle upon Tyne Newham Norfolk North East Lincolnshire North Lincolnshire North Somerset North Tyneside North Yorkshire Northamptonshire Northumberland Nottingham Nottinghamshire Oldham Oxfordshire Peterborough Plymouth Poole Portsmouth Reading Redbridge Redcar and Cleveland Richmond upon Thames Rochdale Rotherham Rutland Salford Sandwell Sefton Sheffield Shropshire Slough Solihull Somerset South Gloucestershire South Tyneside Southampton Southend-on-Sea Southwark St. Helens Staffordshire Stockport Stockton-on-Tees Stoke-on-Trent Suffolk Sunderland Surrey Sutton Swindon Tameside Telford and Wrekin Thurrock Torbay Tower Hamlets Trafford Wakefield Walsall Waltham Forest Wandsworth Warrington Warwickshire West Berkshire West Sussex Westminster Wigan Wiltshire Windsor and Maidenhead Wirral Wokingham Wolverhampton Worcestershire YorkGo

In more than half of state secondaries (1,600), fewer than 10% of pupils gained the necessary GCSEs, and 270 of England’s state secondaries scored zero on this measure.

England is the only UK nation to publish school league tables.

The new data shows that about 25,000 16-year-olds were in the 175 schools where no pupil was entered for all five of the subjects which count towards the Bacc.

Of this 175 total, 44 were academies – schools which are state-funded but independently-run.

Academies were promoted under Labour as a way of turning around failing schools.

The coalition government is encouraging all good schools to apply for academy status.

The new data also shows the extent to which a school’s league table position is influenced by points scored by pupils who took courses which were not GCSEs, but which were counted as such. These are usually vocational subjects.

Mr Gove says under Labour too many pupils were pushed towards less academic courses to boost their school’s league table position.

He has been accused of setting “retrospective targets” for schools – but says publication of this detailed data will give parents and others information they need and “shine a light on excellence”.

“This is the next stage in our drive for greater transparency,” he said.

“More information will allow people to identify the schools that are performing well and to interrogate schools about the choices they have made.”

At 27 schools, no pupil was entered for a language counted in the Bacc; at 42 schools none was entered for the humanities component and at 33, none was entered for the science element.

Mr Gove insists the standard measure on which schools are judged – that of proportion of pupils getting five good GCSEs including English and maths will remain central to the accountability system.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Syria ‘to study’ reforming laws

Syrian army soldiers stand guard at Sheikh Daher Square after violence between security forces and armed groups in Latakia, north-west of Damascus, Syria, on SundayEmergency laws grant Syria’s notorious security services wide-ranging powers

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has directed a legal committee to look into lifting unpopular emergency laws, in place for nearly half a century.

It will finish work by 25 April, reported the state news agency Sana.

The announcement comes a day after President Assad vowed to defeat a “plot” against his country, but failed to announce the lifting of emergency legislation as some had predicted.

It was his first speech since protests erupted in Syria two weeks ago.

Following Mr Assad’s address on Wednesday, protests and gunfire broke out in the flashpoint port city of Latakia, though reports of casualties are unconfirmed.

Protesters have called on Facebook for more protests following Friday prayers, reported news agency AFP.

But backing for Mr Assad’s regime has also been in evidence, with huge crowds joining officially encouraged shows of support for the regime in Damascus on Tuesday.

“Under a directive by President Bashar al-Assad, a committee of legal experts has been formed to study new laws on national security and counter-terrorism, in order to pave the way for ending the state of emergency,” Sana reported.

The laws, which permit arrest without charge and restrict gatherings and movement, have been in place since 1963.

Mr Assad admits reforms are needed but insists he will introduce such reforms at his own pace and not because of pressure.

The unrest has become the biggest threat to the rule of President Assad, 45, who succeeded his father Hafez on his death in 2000.

Syria’s security forces have responded harshly, with activists and rights groups estimating between 60 and 130 people have died in clashes.

But officials say the death toll is closer to 30.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Monument free entry scheme to end

Rhuddlan CastleCadw will look at new ways of attracting visitors to attractions such as Rhuddlan Castle, Denbighshire
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People over 60 and under 16 will no longer be allowed to visit many of Wales’ historic sites for free.

Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones said the policy had failed to attract lower-waged families and site operator Cadw would now consider other methods.

The scheme, which began in 2008 and will end on 1 June, costs the Welsh Assembly Government around £130,000 a year.

Age Concern Cymru said it was “a shame” the decision had been made.

Since its launch two and a half years ago, some 30,000 free entry passes have been issued under the scheme, said the assembly government.

Of these 84% were for people aged 60 and over, while 16% were for children aged 16 or under.

“We see very little indication that the initiative has attracted many lower-waged families”

Alun Ffred Jones Heritage Minister

Although more than 39,000 visits were made using these passes, this amounted to just 1.5% of the 1.2m people a year visiting Cadw sites where there is an admission charge.

Of Cadw’s 127 sites in Wales, 97 are not staffed and charge no admission fee.

The assembly government confirmed that passes already issued under the existing scheme would be honoured until their expiry date.

Mr Jones said Cadw officials had reviewed the policy’s effectiveness and the findings had shown that the scheme had not attracted groups under-represented as visitors.

“We see very little indication that the initiative has attracted many lower waged families – a key issue that the policy was introduced to address.”

Mr Jones said research had shown that free-of-charge open days and programmes of special events with an admission charge had greater appeal to a wider audience.

CADW’S NEW ADMISSIONS PRIORITIESRetain free admission policy for education and learning visits, visitors with disabilities and other targeted incentivesDevelop and expand community events and learning festivals, targeting key areas of deprivation close to Cadw sitesOffer more community projects at monuments where there is a lack of community involvement or problematic behaviourIntroduce and promote free “Open Days” for all, supported by special events at key monumentsBuild on current programmes of interpretation and lifelong learningSource: Welsh Assembly Government

“I am in no doubt that they offer a more effective means of delivering on our commitment to make heritage sites in Wales more accessible to all,” he said.

He added: “The monuments in Cadw’s care represent some of the most important jewels in Wales’ priceless collection of heritage treasures.

“I have been absolutely committed to ensuring that as many people as possible should be able to enjoy those treasures.”

A spokesman for Age Concern Cymru said: “A free visit to Cadw sites across Wales would provide an opportunity for older people, and grandparents and their grandchildren, to enjoy a day out together and a chance to learn more about Wales’ rich heritage.”

Cadw looks after many of Wales’ historic buildings, parks, gardens and landscapes.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Ex-MP Devine jailed over expenses

Jim Devine Devine was the first MP to stand trial over his expenses
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Ex-Labour MP Jim Devine has been jailed for 16 months for fraudulently claiming £8,385 in expenses.

Devine was last month found guilty of using false invoices for cleaning and printing work.

The ex-MP for Livingston, 57, is the third current or former MP to be jailed for fiddling their expenses, but was the first to stand trial.

He was found guilty on two counts, but cleared of a third count, relating to £360.

Devine had denied “wholly deliberate deceit” in submitting his Commons expenses, claiming he was advised by another Labour MP and by expenses officials at the Commons Fees Office, that he was allowed to use money in his communications allowance to cover staff costs.

He said he did not benefit personally from the claims.

But the prosecution said his actions were “plainly dishonest” and he “took advantage of the trust that had been placed in him by virtue of the public office he held”.

At the sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey, prosecuting barrister Peter Wright QC said Devine had been guilty of massive abuse of public trust and damage to public confidence.

In mitigation, Devine’s lawyer said the fraud had been “entirely out of character” and prison would “bear heavily on him” as he suffers high blood pressure and has lost his reputation as well as his 30-year political career.

Two former Labour MPs have already been sentenced for fiddling their Parliamentary expenses. Eric Illsley is serving 12 months in jail, while David Chaytor received a sentence of 18 months.

Earlier this month, Mr Chaytor lost an appeal to have his sentenced reduced.

Devine was declared bankrupt last month, following a separate hearing at Livingston Sheriff Court.

The insolvency order was made after he failed to pay his former office manager Marion Kinley £35,000 for unfair dismissal.

Last year an employment tribunal heard how he bullied Miss Kinley and made up stories to justify firing her.

During his expenses trial, Devine claimed Miss Kinley paid herself more than £5,000 from his staffing allowance without his knowledge by forging his signature – an allegation his legal team now concedes was not true.

After February’s verdict, Ms Kinley said: “Justice has been done.”

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Vodafone makes $5bn India buyout

Vodafone sign in Bhopal, IndiaVodafone has expanded quickly in India, in part by buying rivals’ operations
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Vodafone is to pay its local partner, Essar Group, $5bn (£3.1bn) to buy them out of their Indian joint venture.

The phone giant’s decision to exercise its option to purchase Essar’s 33% stake was widely expected.

It leaves Vodafone holding 75% of the business, giving it a majority stake for the first time, although Indian foreign ownership rules will force the UK firm to reduce that to 74%.

It also ends a relationship with Essar that had become increasingly strained.

The two firms had clashed publicly over plans by Essar to reorganise its ownership of the Indian business in a way that Vodafone claimed would not value the company correctly.

Vodafone has faced a string of problems since entering the Indian market in 2007, including a £2.3bn write-down – 25% of the business’s value – due to rising spectrum costs, and a disputed $2.5bn tax bill from the Indian authorities.

The buyout will be completed by November, according to a statement on Vodafone’s website.

The company will need to reduce its stake before then, in order to comply with Indian rules, and may do so via a partial stock flotation.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Labour launches local poll push

Ed MilibandMr Miliband will highlight the financial impact of council cuts as he launches Labour’s campaign
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Ed Miliband is to launch Labour’s campaign for council elections in England, saying the party will be the “first line of defence” against cuts.

The Labour leader will argue that local authority budget cuts will hit the poorest communities hardest and his party will stand up for those affected.

David Cameron told Conservative MPs on Wednesday they could win the “big argument” over the extent and speed of coalition plans to cut the deficit.

Voters go to the polls on 5 May.

More than 9,500 council seats will be contested in 279 local authorities across England, on the same day as devolved elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and a referendum on the future of the UK electoral system.

Although Labour has won both by-elections held since Mr Miliband became leader in September, next month’s polls will be the first across-the-board national test of his performance.

“Labour will be your community’s first line of defence against the damage being done by a Conservative-led government and their Liberal Democrat allies”

Ed Miliband Labour leader

Arguing that reductions in councils’ spending power this year will be equivalent to a £182 cut for every two-parent household with children, Mr Miliband and other senior Labour figures will argue that “families in every part of the country” will be worse off as a result.

“Cuts designed by David Cameron and Nick Clegg are coming direct from Downing Street to your street,” Mr Miliband is expected to say.

Under plans announced in October, local authority budgets will fall by 28% over the next four years.

Ministers say councils can cut back on bureaucracy and procurement costs to mitigate the impact on core services used by the public and stress they are providing transitional funding for the first two years for the most affected councils.

Labour, who say this funding will provide only a “small cushion” for a short while, argue that councils are being forced to “frontload” cuts to services into the first two years. And they say town halls in more deprived parts of the country are being unfairly treated.

“Areas with the greatest need are being asked to bear the greatest burden,” Mr Miliband is expected to add. “The worst-off areas are being hit the hardest while the average family will be hit much harder than people in David Cameron’s constituency.

“Labour will be your community’s first line of defence against the damage being done by a Conservative-led government and their Liberal Democrat allies.”

He will add: “Labour launches our election campaign with a clear pledge to people across the country: we will be your voice in tough times.”

The government has accused Labour of having no concrete plan to deal with the UK’s record peacetime deficit while stressing steps it is taking to help people with rising living costs – such as ensuring no council tax payer in England will see a rise in their bills this year.

Addressing a meeting of Tory MPs on Wednesday evening, Mr Cameron said they should be confident that they could win the key economic argument about the deficit and the pace of cuts.

The prime minister pledged to spend three days a week campaigning ahead of May’s poll and urged MPs to campaign “hard locally”.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has urged his party to “hold its nerve” ahead of the elections, saying they are taking difficult decisions in the national interest and will be rewarded in the long term.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Chinese ‘ran Germany euro scam’

Euro coins - file picScrap coins were said to be cashed in as genuine, damaged money

Police in Germany have arrested six people – four of them ethnic Chinese – suspected of cashing in invalid euro coins worth about 6m euros (£5.3m).

Broken coins are believed to have been sold to buyers in China as scrap metal, then welded back together, flown back to Germany and exchanged for banknotes at the Bundesbank – the central bank.

The Bundesbank exchanges damaged euro coins for banknotes at face value.

Police carried out raids in Frankfurt and three other central German towns.

A statement from the Hessen state prosecutor’s office on Thursday said Bundesbank employees were not under suspicion.

The suspects are those who allegedly handed in the bags of damaged one- and two-euro coins at the Bundesbank, receiving their face value in return.

Some genuine coins were reportedly mixed in with the forgeries, in order to pass the bank’s visual controls.

The statement said the Bundesbank is the only bank in Europe that reimburses damaged euro coins at face value.

The damaged coins have to be handed in using “safebags” that can be bought on the internet. Each bag is designed to hold 1,000 euros’ worth of coins.

The indictment says the suspects were helped by four flight attendants who managed to bring forged coins into Germany because they were not subject to baggage weight restrictions.

The elaborate operation, involving 29 tonnes of coins, allegedly took place from 2007 to November 2010.

The raids in Frankfurt, Offenbach, Fulda and Moerfelden-Walldorf resulted in the seizure of some three tonnes of broken coins, a coin-welding machine and computers.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.