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£15k reward over vanished women

Elizabeth ChauElizabeth Chau’s family say they fear the worst

A reward of £15,000 is being offered by the Metropolitan Police for information about two women who disappeared from the same road more than a decade ago.

In April 1999 student Elizabeth Chau, 19, vanished from Ealing Broadway, west London, after leaving Thames Valley University’s campus.

In January 2000 Lola Shenkoya, 27, an office worker, also disappeared from the street.

The Met said her disappearance was “totally out of character”.

Miss Chau, who was Vietnamese, was last seen near to Ealing Police Station.

Officers said they had not ruled out that Miss Chau was alive and well but “fear the worst.”

Bic Kuet nee Chau, 35, Elizabeth’s sister, said: “It has been 11 years since Liz went missing but we have never lost hope.

“I haven’t changed my phone number in 11 years just in case Liz wants to get in touch.

“There are many difficult times in the year such as birthdays, Christmas – when we get together as a family, Liz is in our minds at all times.”

Lola ShenkoyaLola Shenkoya was a devout Christian

She added: “Deep down I think we all know that something horrible has happened to her but we just need to know what became of her.”

Miss Shenkoya was a devout Christian. Her bank accounts have not been touched since she vanished.

She went missing after spending the day working as a temp at the company Entertainment UK in Perivale.

Yewande Shenkoya, 27, Lola’s sister, said: “I appreciate the efforts the police are making to establish what happened to my sister and I’m hopeful that someone will come forward.”

Det Insp Andy Manning said: “Both Lola and Elizabeth went missing from the Ealing area.

“We would like to enlist the help of the public to see if we can get any nearer to finding out what has happened to these two young women.

“I am hopeful the offer of a reward will further encourage members of the public to come forward.”

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

Irish swine flu rises three fold

H1N1 virusCases of H1N1 infection in the Republic of Ireland have more than trebled
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Cases of swine flu (H1N1) in the Republic of Ireland have increased from 30 to 91 in a week according to the country’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

The announcement follows the revelation last week by NI’s Public Health Agency that the number of cases in Northern Ireland had more than doubled.

The number of people hospitalised for swine flu in the Republic has also continued to increase, with 36 cases as of December 30th 2010.

Five swine flu patients are believed to have been admitted to intensive care.

At-risk groups: Who should get the flu vaccine?

·Anyone aged 65 or over.

·Children and adults who have any of the following medical conditions:

– a chronic chest condition such as asthma;

– a chronic heart condition;

– chronic liver disease;

– chronic kidney disease;

– diabetes;

– lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroids or cancer therapy;

– a chronic neurological condition such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or a condition that affects your nervous system, such as cerebral palsy.

· Pregnant women regardless of their stage of pregnancy.

· Children who have previously been admitted to hospital with a chest infection.

· Anyone living in a residential or nursing home.

· If you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person.

The HPSC has also reported that swine flu is currently the most prevalent type of flu virus circulating in Ireland.

Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency has advised those eligible for the H1N1 vaccine to see their doctor as soon as possible.

Official data for Northern Ireland shows the number of swine flu cases has increased from 56 in week 50 of 2010 to 129 in week 51.

The Public Health Agency also said it had observed an increase in influenza cases generally, not only those with H1N1.

The symptoms of a typical flu are a sudden fever, headache, muscle aches, a dry cough and sore throat.

The average duration of infection is between 10 and 14 days.

For more information about the flu virus and the vaccine for 2010/2011 visit the HSC Public Health Agency or speak to your GP, nurse or member of staff at the antenatal clinic in your local trust.

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

Binmen working over bank holiday

Rubbish which has not been collected for more than three weeks in some areas of Birmingham could be collected over the bank holiday, the council has said.

Councillor Timothy Huxtable said 19 additional refuse crews had been working over the holidays and will be out on Sunday and Monday.

The earlier icy conditions and industrial action among crews had led to the waste being left.

Binmen were on strike over pay on 20 December and have been working to rule.

About 500 to 600 workers walked out on Thursday over a row about two suspensions, but were back at work by Friday.

The pay dispute centres on proposals to address a pay gap between male and female colleagues employed by the council which Unite has said amounted to a £4,000 pay cut.

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

Afghanistan blast kills soldier

Soldiers in AfghanistanThe soldier’s death is the first to have occurred in 2011

A soldier from 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The soldier, from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, died on Saturday while on an operation in the district of Nahr-e Saraj in Helmand.

Some 349 British troops have been killed in operations in Afghanistan since 2001.

The soldier’s next of kin have been informed.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col David Eastman, said: “He was part of an operation aiming to bring peace and prosperity to the people of a former insurgent haven, and has made the ultimate sacrifice in seeking a better life for others.

“He will remain in our thoughts and our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”

His death follows that of Warrant Officer Class 2 Charlie Wood.

WO Wood, from Middlesbrough, was serving with 23 Pioneer Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, when he was killed in an explosion on 28 December in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province.

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

Minister tries to save Beatle Ringo Starr’s former home

Madryn StreetMadryn Street is one of several in the area awaiting demolition
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A government minister has moved to stop controversial plans to demolish Beatle Ringo Starr’s former home.

Liverpool City Council wants to pull down the house where the drummer was born and lived for three months as part of a massive regeneration scheme.

But Housing Minister Grant Shapps has written to the council calling for a temporary reprieve for 9 Madryn Street.

He wants conservationists to have more time to put forward their ideas for preserving the terraced house.

Mr Shapps said the house was considered by many as a “culturally important building”.

“That is why, before a single bulldozer rumbles along Madryn Street, I want to ensure that every option has been considered,” he said.

“In particular I want local community groups to have the opportunity to put forward viable proposals to preserve this historic house.”

He added: “It is right that the people of Liverpool themselves decide whether they want Ringo Starr’s house to be demolished or to Let It Be.”

Ring StarrRingo Starr was born Richard Starkey in 1940 in the terraced property

The government has also received a request from campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage to direct Liverpool City Council to halt the demolition and sell off the land.

A total of 445 pre-1919 terraced houses will be torn down as part of the scheme.

A nearby home, 10 Admiral Grove, where Starr, now 70, lived for 20 years, will remain standing.

Liverpool City Council said the properties were “beyond economic repair”.

A spokesman said the council would consider the minister’s request, but said: “Grant Shapps may not be aware of the fact that we have consulted extensively with local residents over these plans and the overwhelming majority are in favour of them.

“Residents have been fully involved in developing the proposals and have shown they want decent homes to replace houses which have long passed their lifespan.

“They are telling us that they are absolutely sick of the delays and the conditions they have to live in. They want the city council to demolish these properties as soon as possible so that they can get on with their lives.”

The spokesman added: “It is vital for local people that this scheme goes ahead. We have not been helped by the massive cuts, but we are determined to get on with this work to improve the lives of local residents.”

The childhood homes of John Lennon – Mendips, in Menlove Avenue – and Sir Paul McCartney – in Forthlin Road – are popular tourist attractions run by the National Trust.

George Harrison’s Arnold Grove childhood home remains a private house.

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

Chavez, Clinton chat amid tension

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (R) shakes hands with US Secretary Hillary Clinton, who stands between Colombian President Manuel Santos (L) and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera during Brazilian President-elect Dilma Rousseff's inauguration in Brasilia, BrazilMrs Clinton and Mr Chavez had an apparently amicable encounter in Brasilia
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have shaken hands in an apparently amicable encounter at a time of tension between the two countries.

They chatted and smiled at the inauguration of Brazil’s new president.

Last week, Venezuela refused to accept the nomination of the new US ambassador to Caracas because of comments he made against the country.

Washington then revoked the visa of the Venezuelan ambassador to the US.

Mr Chavez later described his encounter with Mrs Clinton as a pleasant one.

“We greeted each other,” he told reporters at Brasilia’s airport. “She had a very spontaneous smile and I greeted her with the same effusiveness.”

Mr Chavez has not responded to the US government’s decision to revoke the visa of Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez.

The two countries have long had reduced contacts due to the antagonism fed by Mr Chavez’s condemnations of the US and by the US state department’s criticisms of democracy in Venezuela, observers say.

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

Hungary watchdog raises concerns

Hungarian EU presidency logo (31 December 2010)Hungary took over the EU presidency at the same time its new media law entered into force
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Hungary’s new media authority has begun investigating a radio station for playing a song by rapper Ice-T which it said “could influence the development of minors in a negative way”.

The authority came into being on Saturday, at the same time as Hungary assumed the six-month EU presidency.

The new media law can also require journalists to reveal their sources on matters of national security.

It has been criticised by rights groups and questioned by the UK and Germany.

The Tilos radio station said it was being investigated by the National Media and Communications Authority, the NMHH, for playing the song, Warning, it’s On, by Ice-T at 1730 local time.

The NMHH said the song should only have been broadcast after 2100.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said the new law “endangers editorial independence and media pluralism”.

It said the new law leaves key terms undefined, including the “protection of public order”, which – if violated – requires journalists to reveal their sources.

All five members of the media authority, the NMHH, are members of or are linked to the Fidesz party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Mr Orban has defended the new law, saying it does not contain any measures not already in force in other EU member states.

Under the new law, broadcasters and newspapers can be fined up to 200m forints (£615,000; $955,000) for violating “public interest, public morals or order”.

Britain and Germany have both urged Hungary to clear up concerns about the law.

“Freedom of the press is at the heart of a free society,” said a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office.

“We hope that the Hungarian Government will soon resolve this issue satisfactorily and that it will not impact adversely on the successful delivery of the Hungarian EU Presidency.”

And deputy German foreign minister Werner Hoyer told the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper: “We must rigorously ensure that fundamental rights are protected in the European Union beyond any doubt. Press freedom is one of those rights. If it is questioned, that must be resolved.”

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

Woman dies in Belfast house fire

Fire engine

A 63-year-old woman has died in a late-night house fire in north Belfast.

Fire-fighters were called at about 2230 GMT on Saturday to the house at Mountainview Gardens, off the Upper Crumlin Road.

The woman was alone in the house during what the Fire and Rescue Service described as a “substantial blaze”.

A police spokesperson said they were investigating the fire, but at the moment, there was nothing to suggest it was suspicious.

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

Train boss defends rise in fares

Train passengersMany fares have increased by more than the average
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Rail passengers will see the cost of a ticket rise by an average of 6.2%, as planned price rises come into force.

Regulated fares, which include season tickets, have gone up by an average of 5.8%, but some mainline season tickets have increased by almost 13%.

Some unregulated fares, typically short distance off-peak ones, have also risen by more than the 6.2% average but the industry has not given a figure.

Tube and bus fares in London have risen by an average of 6.8%.

Passenger groups are angry about the rises, but the government and London Mayor Boris Johnson say the increases are necessary to support vital transport projects.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said: “Many passengers returning to work in the new year will be baffled about why they are paying much higher figures than the ‘averages’ published by the train companies.

“With the train companies again free to raise fares on individual routes, some passengers will be facing rises way above inflation and in some cases it will be back to the bad old days of double-digit fare increases.”

The Campaign for Better Transport said the cost of some annual season tickets exceeded £5,000 for the first time and warned the rises would price people off trains.

It says an annual season ticket for commuters travelling on services between London and Tonbridge, in Kent, has risen by 12.7% to £5,192.

A season ticket on the First Capital Connect stopping service between Peterborough and London, which was £5,000, is now £5,320.

A spokesman for the Association of Train Operating Companies has said that, even with the 2011 increases, the money from tickets covered only half the cost of running the railways, with the rest falling to taxpayers.

He said above-inflation fare rises were the result of government policy which has “sought to sustain investment in the railways by reducing the amount that taxpayers contribute and requiring passengers to pay more”.

Regulated fares are tied to an annual price cap formula meaning fares can increase each January only by the previous July’s RPI inflation rate plus 1%. This means a 5.8% average rise for 2011.

However, companies are able to put up some fares by more than 5% as long as other fares decrease at the same rate. There is no price cap on unregulated fares.

In January 2012, passengers will have to dig even deeper into their pockets when the annual price rise formula changes to RPI plus 3% across the network.

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