Category: news

Labour would be left in an “electoral cul-de-sac” if its next leader tried to create a pre-New Labour party, Lord Mandelson warns.

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Residents of the Polish city of Krakow have attempted to break the world record for the longest pizza in the world.

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An international review of the “processes and procedures” used by the UN’s climate science panel is set to deliver its report on Monday.

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The allegations centre on no-balls bowled by Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif

The man at the centre of cricket betting scam allegations concerning the Pakistan team has been bailed without charge, Scotland Yard said.

The News of the World claims it paid a middleman for details of three no-balls later bowled by Pakistan as predicted.

Mazhar Majeed, 35, was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

Meanwhile, three Pakistan players have been questioned by police over claims they were involved in the alleged scam.

Their team manager, Yawar Saeed, said cricket was not “institutionally corrupt” in Pakistan and the claims were unproven.

The allegations relate to three no-balls delivered by Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif on Thursday and Friday. A no-ball occurs when a bowler oversteps the line behind which balls should be delivered.

Scotland Yard said Mr Majeed, 35, was bailed to appear before police at a future date.

Despite the allegations, the fourth and final Test went ahead at Lord’s, with England winning the series 3-1.

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The bombings are being blamed on regional drug cartels

A wave of bomb attacks has hit the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, where police are investigating the mass killing of 72 migrants.

Four devices exploded separately in Tamaulipas in just 24 hours, injuring at least 17 people.

The explosions appeared to target places connected with the probe into the migrant killings.

Police are still searching for a prosecutor involved in the case who has been missing for several days.

Correspondents say it appears that gangsters are trying to stop those trying seeking evidence of the murders.

Three homemade bombs were detonated in the city of Reynosa, in the north of the state, on Saturday, say reports.

One exploded close to a church where a memorial mass was was being held for the migrants, whose bodies were found at ranch earlier this week.

Two other devices were detonated near the morgue where some of the victims’ bodies were being held.

The blast injured a police officer and a civilian and destroyed the guard’s hut in front of the building, a police source told the AFP news agency.

On Friday, two bombs exploded in the state capital, Ciudad Victoria, reports said, targeting a television station and the offices of the transport authorities. There were no reported injuries.

Police have said the attacks are probably the work of the Zetas drug cartel, which has also been blamed for the migrants’ deaths.

One survivor of that incident has told police the 58 men and 14 women were trying to make their way to the US when they were kidnapped by a criminal gang and shot when they refused to work for them.

Mexican prosecutors have said they are deeply concerned for the safety of Roberto Suarez, the prosecutor leading the investigation into the deaths.

He and a police officer travelling with him have been missing since Wednesday.

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US President Barack Obama has paid tribute to the people of New Orleans, five years to the day after Hurricane Katrina destroyed large parts of the city.

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The BBC’s James Reynolds reports on how items are being sent down to the trapped Chilean miners.

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Hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets of west London as the Notting Hill Carnival gets under way.

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Goalkeeper Scott Carson is recalled to the England squad following a two-year absence for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

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Mr Obama made his speech at Xavier University, which was hit by Katrina

President Barack Obama has paid tribute to the people of New Orleans, five years to the day after Hurricane Katrina destroyed large parts of the city.

His administration would stand by them and continue rebuilding “until the job is done”, Mr Obama said.

Katrina was a natural disaster but also a man-made one, he said, which saw a “shameful breakdown” of government.

More than 1,800 people died when Katrina hit the Gulf coast in 2005.

The storm displaced hundreds of thousands of people, some of whom have still not returned.

Ceremonies in New Orleans to mark the anniversary include the tolling of the bells at St Louis Cathedral.

Mr Obama made his speech at Xavier University – which, like much of New Orleans, was flooded when the levees protecting the city were breached by flood tides.

He described the city a symbol of resilience and perseverance in the face of tragedy.

A march and “healing ceremony” have also been scheduled in a district of the city where many houses still stand vacant.

“I’m tired of the anniversaries,” 77-year-old Barbara Washington told AP, explaining that she had been living in the suburbs since Katrina struck.

“I miss my home every day. I feel lost. But I also know we are getting back. We’re survivors.”

During a symbolic burying of victims of Katrina in Chalmette, Louisiana, residents were invited to write “farewell Katrina” messages and place them in a coffin, which was then buried.

“You made us stronger and made us realise what was important in life. One day we will feel better,” read one note.

Gregory Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans, led the ceremony, telling the congregation: “Where was God five years ago on this day? Here, weeping with us, and trying to console us in the midst of a natural tragedy.”

Hurricane Katrina slammed ashore near New Orleans with winds of up to 125mph (201 km/h) – making it a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. It had only just weakened from Category 5 and brought ashore a massive storm surge.

Entire communities on the Gulf Coast were obliterated, and than a million people were displaced and scattered around the US.

Many were housed in Federal Emergency Management Agency caravans.

Hundreds of thousands of people fled New Orleans and with much of its housing stock destroyed, the city’s population a year after the storm was only half its pre-Katrina level of 1.3 million.

According to US census figures, by July 2009, its population had recovered to 90% of its pre-storm level.

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Lord McIntosh served as a whip and a culture spokesman in the Lords

Labour peer Andrew McIntosh has died aged 77 after suffering cancer, his relatives have said.

The politician, who served as a whip and a culture spokesman in the Lords, was made a life peer in 1983 – becoming Baron McIntosh of Haringey.

Lord McIntosh was leader of the Labour Group which won control of the Greater London Council in 1981.

But he was ousted the day after the victory and replaced by rival Ken Livingstone.

His son Philip said he was “the most honest and considerate socialist politician of his generation and will be greatly missed”.

Lord McIntosh represented Tottenham on the Greater London Council from 1973 to 83 and more recently chaired the Culture, Science and Education Committee for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

He was married to the late social researcher Naomi Sargant and lived in Highgate, north London.

The peer, who died on Friday night, had two sons and a stepson. He will be buried in a humanist ceremony on 8 September.

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A traditional paint, flour and egg fight got the festival started

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of west London as the Notting Hill Carnival gets under way.

Dancers in colourful costumes began parading along the three-and-a-half-mile route at 0900 BST.

Floats and dancers are partying to music from more than 40 independent sound systems.

The carnival, Europe’s biggest street festival, is the climax of months of preparation.

The event began with the customary paint, flour and egg fight.

Chris Boothman, director of London Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said: “This weekend is the highlight of the year for not only the Caribbean community, but also for the many visitors from London and the rest of the country.

“We have already had some fantastic events including the costume shows and the calypso shows, which showcased some of the best talent in its area.

“This weekend is the culmination of all those events, bringing together all the sights, sounds, tastes and experiences which make carnival the great experience that it is.”

The carnival began in 1966 and is held every August Bank Holiday.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “This weekend London will be filled with visitors from across the world eager to have some fun at the ultimate free street party.

“Our legendary Notting Hill Carnival highlights the richness of Caribbean culture and is the perfect summer celebration.

“As a former Ladbroke Grove resident, I feel a particular affinity to the pulsating steel pans and colourful floats as simply nothing rivals the spirit and energy of carnival.”

The policing operation is costing more than £6m.

Police arrested 101 people in a crackdown on troublemakers ahead of the Notting Hill Carnival.

Raids which took place throughout August led to several weapons being seized, including knives and firearms.

Officers from Operation Razorback also confiscated £64,000 in cash, along with drugs including crack cocaine and cannabis.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Obviously it’s very early days.

“But it’s all going swimmingly at the moment.”

Matt Taylor, from the BBC weather centre, warned of rain later in the day.

He said: “There is a high likelihood of some afternoon downpours, before brighter skies return late in the afternoon.

“It will be quite windy and pretty cool with the showers as well.”

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Wilshere made his England debut in last month’s friendly against Hungary

Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere was arrested in the early hours in connection with a “fracas”.

A spokesman for the player said the footballer was held after the incident at 0245 BST in Kensington High Street, London, and later released on bail. Three other men were also arrested.

Emergency crews were called after a man suffered minor facial injuries and a woman sustained a broken arm.

Wilshere, 18, made his England debut in last month’s friendly against Hungary.

But this week he was named in the England under-21 squad rather than remaining in contention for the senior side’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the four men – two aged 18 and two aged 21 – were taken to a west London police station and later bailed to return in mid-October pending further inquiries.

A spokesman for the player insisted the 18-year-old had been playing the “role of peacemaker” in the incident.

The spokesman said: “Jack Wilshere was arrested by police in the early hours following a fracas but was released on bail later.

“The police have made it very clear that he is an important witness to the incident and played the role of peacemaker and is unlikely to face any charges as a result.

“Jack has made it very clear he will co-operate fully with the police investigation.”

Stevenage-born Wilshere came on as a substitute for Arsenal in the 84th minute on Saturday in his team’s 2-1 win over Blackburn.

He has played in all three of Arsenal’s Premier League matches so far this season, after spending much of last season on loan at Bolton, and is rated as one of the best young English prospects in the game.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Police were called at approximately 2.45am on Sunday 29 August following reports of an assault on Kensington High Street.

“Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and discovered a man and a woman suffering injuries.

“The woman had suffered a broken and dislocated elbow; the man was treated for a minor facial injury. Both went to a west London hospital for treatment.”

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Cruz’s album Rokstarr peaked at number 14 last October

Singer Taio Cruz has blasted his way to the top of the UK singles chart for the second time with Dynamite.

It is a second number one for the British artist, whose track Break Your Heart topped the chart in 2009.

Brit School graduate Katy B has her first top five hit with Katy On A Mission, while Crossfire, the debut solo single from The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers, lands at number eight.

Eminem has topped the album chart again with Recovery.

It is the fourth time the LP has climbed to the number one spot in the past 10 weeks. It has spent a total of seven weeks in the top slot.

Rapper-turned-singer Plan B is at number two while Iron Maiden has dropped two places to number three.

Surfing The Void – the follow-up album to The Klaxons’ 2007 Mercury-winning Myths of the Near Future scraped into the top 10 at number 10.

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The first day of the Notting Hill Carnival

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